Four grocery and two convenience store chains have made Fortune’s 2015 list of the “Best Workplaces in Retail.”
The list of 20 is compiled based on the opinions of thousands of employees.
According to Fortune, many “patterns emerge among the standouts: generous medical coverages, awesome office discounts and a parade of onsite benefits to keep workers happy and healthy. But there are also numerous examples of companies that strive to stand out from the rest, from higher-than-normal minimum wages to creative ways of fostering an internal work culture of encouragement.”
2. Nugget Markets, headquartered in Woodland, California
The 17-store chain employs 1,555 and has annual revenues of $280 million.
According to Fortune: “This family-owned grocery store chain has never laid off a single employee in its 89-year history. Instead, the company pays 100 percent of their workers’ health insurance premiums, and even part-time staff members are eligible for full-time medical benefits. Flexible scheduling is also a key benefit here, as employees earn up to five weeks of paid vacation time, and an additional 56 hours of paid time off for work-life balance. And for those who need to shop for after-work dinner, the company gives a 10 percent staff discount on its groceries.”
4. Wegmans Food Markets, Rochester, New York
The chain operates 117 stores with 44,272 employees. It generates $7.56 billion in annual revenue.
“Since 1984, Wegmans has awarded more than $100 million in educational scholarships to more than 32,000 employees, with no obligation of continued employment. There’s also a three-year internship program for those who enter the grocery chain’s workforce, and the company invests $50 million a year in formal training programs. The company also takes a keen interest in the health of its staff, offering them benefits and programs that include free blood pressure and health screenings, tobacco cessation, subsidized Weight Watchers and yoga.”
8. Sheetz, Altoona, Pennsylvania
The convenience store company operates 508 locations and employs 15,044 people.
“The convenience store chain, with over 500 stores in six Mid-Atlantic states, offers generous bonus schemes. There are quarterly bonuses for all team members, and 35 to 40 percent of the company’s pre-tax profits usually go towards these bonuses—in 2013, the company gave out around $40 million in bonus money. The recognition doesn’t stop there, as the company also recognizes outstanding service at its annual Employee Recognition & Service Awards, and employees with at least five years of service can stay for at least two days at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort. The company also gives employees a 50 percent discount on prepared foods purchased in-store, and during work hours, coffee and fountain drinks are free.”
9. QuikTrip, Tulsa, Oklahoma
QuikTrip has 760 locations and 20,342 employees.
“The convenience store’s founder and CEO Chet Cadieux meets with his employees every year, and leaves them with a special gift and a chance to win either $500 or a week’s vacation. The company also honors employees on their work anniversaries: those that hit the one-year mark get a special jacket, while those that work for 20 years at QuikTrip receive $300 spending money and $5,000 in cash or stock in their retirement plan. There are also onsite health benefits that include breast cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer and blood pressure screenings.
11. Publix Super Markets, Lakeland, Florida
The company operates 1,120 stores across the Southeast and employs 175,208 people. It has annual revenues of $30.8 billion.
“One of the nation’s largest privately-owned companies is 100 percent employee-owned, and the grocery store chain provides its workers with an option to purchase more shares of the company’s privately-held stock. There is also tuition reimbursements of up to $12,800 given towards those holding degrees in accounting, industrial engineering, information technology, pre-pharmacy, marketing and business management. For those looking for further training, eligible staff members can receive up to $3,400 for courses or technical programs.”
17. Whole Foods Market, Austin, Texas
The organic and natural grocer has 422 stores and 91,055 employees. The company’s annual revenues are $14.2 billion.
“On their first day on the job at this organic food retailer, new hires and their spouses or partners receive a 20 percent discount on store purchases. That can be raised to 30 percent if employees live a healthy lifestyle through the Healthy Discount Incentive program, and meet certain biometric criteria. Team members are also eligible to buy the company’s stock, and since Whole Foods’ IPO, 93 percent of stock options worth more than $1 billion have been given to its non-executive staff members. If employees are interested to know where the store’s produce comes from, they can travel for two to three weeks to communities where the company sources its products from through the in-house volunteer program.”
