Warby Parker, the direct-to-consumer eyewear retailer, laid off 63 corporate employees in early August 2022, representing a small percentage of its overall workforce, as the company aimed to navigate a challenging macroeconomic environment. The job cuts, which excluded customer-facing retail and lab roles, were part of a broader effort to operate more efficiently and focus on high-impact opportunities amid slowing growth and rising costs. This move followed a disappointing first quarter with unexpected losses, reflecting wider pressures in the retail and DTC sectors, where companies like Allbirds and Shopify were also reducing headcount.
