Walmart is closing two stores today after already shutting down four locations in March

TWO Walmart locations have made their way to the chopping block, as the retail giant permanently shutters two "underperforming" stores.

The Portland, Oregon, Walmart locations are set to close for good on March 24.

The company said the Hayden Meadows and East Port Plaza are closing due to poor performance.

"There is no single cause for why a store closes – we do a thorough review of how a store performs and weigh many factors before making the difficult decision to close a facility,” a Walmart  spokesperson said to The Oregonian.

The locations employed an estimated 580 staffers - all employees impacted by the closures have been offered relocation opportunities, the company said.

The employees have until June 2 to make a decision to stay with the brand.

"We are grateful to the customers who have given us the privilege of serving them at our Hayden Meadows and Eastport Plaza locations," a Walmart spokesperson said to The Sun.

"We look forward to serving them at our other stores in the surrounding communities and on walmart.com."

Walmart, the largest employer in the U.S., has been cutting back staff in multiple locations across the company.

Locations in Homewood and Plainfield locations in Chicago, Illinois; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Pinellas Park, Florida all closed on March 10.

The brand recently laid off staffers at five e-commerce fulfillment centers, leaving hundreds scrambling for jobs.

PUBLIC DEBATE AROUND STORE CLOSURES

Walmart has closed multiple stores in the past month, leading to speculation that store locations are succumbing to growing reports of retail theft.

The closures in Portland have drawn national ire, leading Texas governor Greg Abbott to tweet about "lawlessness."

"All Portland Walmart stores to permanently close in late March," the Texas governor tweeted.

"This is what happens when cities refuse to enforce the rule of law."

Portland's mayor, Ted Wheeler, was quick to respond on Twitter.

Wheeler replied: "Governor Abbott, are the dozens of Walmart stores that have closed in Texas in recent years all communities that ‘refuse to enforce the rule of law?’"

Doug McMillon, Walmart's chief executive officer, claimed in December that the big box store may have to increase prices due to "historically high" shrink.

Retail experts have rebuked the idea that the stores are closing exclusively because of theft, according to Oregon Live.

"The decision to close down a store is typically linked to sales,” Neil Saunders, a managing director at GlobalData, a market analysis firm, said.

Sanders said the closures "often [have] nothing to do with thefts or shoplifting."

The U.S. Sun has the latest updates on other store closures throughout the country.

Plus, some Americans are eligible for a one-time check worth up to $1,000.