NCR CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE RESOURCES
Retailers go the extra mile to support their staff amid coronavirus pandemic
Published April 14, 2020
Retailers and suppliers around the world are going above and beyond to take care of their employees, from extra pay for frontline employees and grocery discounts to bonus pay outs for management. Here are just a few ways retailers are supporting their most important asset—their employees.
Foodservice distributors go direct
Foodservice distributors have realized they can solve both problems, and serve their communities in this time of need, by changing their customer base—many are now pivoting to selling direct to consumer and retailers, such as grocers. They're also modifying systems to open up their supply chains to allow consumers and grocers to place online orders for what’s in their warehouses. Some are also expanding their cash-and-carry business or adding new walk-up operations where they didn’t have it before.
Kroger will pay their front-line employees a “hero bonus” during the coronavirus.
The grocery retail chain initially announced a one-time bonus for full-time and part-time employees working during the coronavirus. They’ve also recently announced an additional bonus, an extra $2/hr for hourly employees between March 29 and April 18. Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and CEO, said, "The Hero Bonus is just one more way we continue to convey our thanks and gratitude not only to our existing associates but also to the more than 30,000 new hires who have joined in the past two weeks and those who will soon join the Kroger Family of Companies."
U.S.-based convenience store brands will also increase pay for retail store employees.
Global Partners LP, who owns Alltown Fresh, Alltown, Jiffy Mart, XtraMart, T-Bird and Honey Farms, is increasing pay for retail associates by $2/hr. They’re also giving their store managers a one-time $600 bonus and store employees a $50 gift card every month.
UK retailers pledge to give staff extra compensation during the pandemic.
Marks & Spencer had already promised staff an extra 15% pay, while Aldi, Sainsbury's and Tesco have pledged 10%. Tesco is providing a 10% bonus on hourly rate for workers across their stores, distribution centers and customer engagement centers. Tesco said the increased pay will continue through May 1, with plans to re-evaluate. Tesco UK boss Jason Tarry said, “It's been an extraordinary couple of weeks and despite the enormous challenges, it's been incredible to see how colleagues have stepped up and responded, doing an outstanding job during this uncertain and difficult time.”
For more articles, resources and stories about the coronavirus, visit NCR.com/coronavirus/retail.
