The world’s biggest retail group Walmart has announced a commitment to automatically make job offers to US armed forces veterans.

Saying it expects to bring in 100,000 veterans over the next five years, the firm says in a press notice: “Beginning Memorial Day [27 May this year], Walmart will offer a job to any honourably discharged veteran in his or her first 12 months off active duty.”

While most jobs will come in the firm’s retail stores and clubs, others will be in distribution centres or office-based.

“Hiring a veteran can be one of the best business decisions you make,” comments Walmart president and chief executive Bill Simon. “Veterans have a record of performance under pressure. They’re quick learners and team players. They are leaders with discipline, training, and a passion for service. There is a seriousness and sense of purpose that the military instills, and we need it today more than ever.”

The announcement was made simultaneously with the news it would increase domestic sourcing of its products to spend an additional $50bn (£31bn) on US products over the next 10 years.

• For more on ex-forces careers, see telecoms giant BT’s hiring of military leavers for its Openreach project.