Waitrose to pay out 15 per cent bonuses
STAFF at the Waitrose store in Cheltenham had smiles on their faces yesterday as the supermarket paid out bonuses to the entire workforce.
With many businesses in the UK preparing to tighten their belts even more, the John Lewis Partnership has announced a 15 per cent bonus package for all 520 staff at Waitrose in Cheltenham.
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ADVENTURE: Sean Cullen, James Carlyle and Jamie Stephens are using their bonuses to travel to New York
One of the employees who will benefit from the payout will be wine specialist Brian Koschalka.
He is planning to use his bonus to fly himself and his two granddaughters to his son's wedding in Australia.
Brian said: "This year I wanted to do something really special with my bonus, so I decided to put it towards attending my son's wedding in Australia.
"I am delighted to also be taking my two grand-daughters, Sophia and Nena, who are going to be flower girls on the day.
"It is wonderful to see the excitement on their faces and it will be great for all the family to be together on this very special occasion."
Nick Sherry, who has worked in the shop's wine department for six years, is looking to build on the skills he has acquired at Waitrose by putting his bonus towards funding a foundation degree in wine production.
Supermarket assistants Jamie Stephens, James Carlyle and Sean Cullen are planning to spend their bonuses on an adventurous trip to New York to see the sights of the Big Apple.
Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said: "Partners have shown tremendous commitment during changing times.
"I am delighted our partners will share fairly in the financial rewards of a successful year with a partnership bonus of £151.3 million.
"This means all our 70,000 partners will receive a bonus of 15 per cent of their salary, equivalent to nearly eight weeks' pay."
Waitrose also announced yesterday that its gross sales were up £375.9 million to £4.5 billion in the year ending January 2010.
The organisation opened 25 new shops in 2009 and launched more than 1,400 new products in the Essential range.
9 Comments
by Brian Koschalka, Cheltenham
Friday, March 12 2010, 6:35PM
“Where did you get the quote?
Certainly not from me.”
by Nena, Deutschland
Friday, March 12 2010, 3:34PM
“99 Luftballons auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont!”
by Dan Koschalka, Cheltenham
Friday, March 12 2010, 3:26PM
“Nina, not Nena!
Come on, it's not THAT hard. It's not like we called her Brunhilda.”
by Jean Poole, Glos
Friday, March 12 2010, 12:12PM
“Rob, Springbank
Obviously it's a bit too far for you.
Prices for many goods are no higher, but they are better quality.
Another reason for their success is the introduction of the Essentials range, to combat negative people like you.
It's a fantastic model to follow.
If only our bloated public sector worked on the basis of success, or indeed benefit claimants had to actually DO something for their/our money.”
by Trolley Pusher, 'Trose for Life!
Friday, March 12 2010, 9:56AM
“Rob, Springbank - Maybe we dont want your custom!
Trose is the place to shop!”
by Alfredo, Cheltenham
Friday, March 12 2010, 9:42AM
“*Rob, Springbank* - hopefully they will, yes. Why shouldn't they?”
by Matt H, Cheltenham
Friday, March 12 2010, 9:31AM
“Makes you wonder why more companies don't operate in the same way. Clearly the Jon Lewis group are doing good business, which many other companies can only dream of at present. And there must be many people who are happy to pay JL / Waitrose prices, or the company wouldn't be doing so well, would it...???
These are a group of employees who deserve the bonuses they are now to receive. Unlike the bankers......
They got 13% last year, and 15% this year, so not much sign of a recession for this particular company.....
Good on 'em.”
by Rob, Springbank
Friday, March 12 2010, 8:02AM
“Does this mean the prices will stay too high for most working families?”
by A, Gloucester
Friday, March 12 2010, 7:46AM
“John Lewis Partnership has run this very successful business model for many years - I believe it was the first to offer all staff a share in the profits in this way - and it very obviously works. There are plenty of other businesses who could do with following its example.”