Wakefern Food Corp., the retailer-owned cooperative and parent of ShopRite supermarkets, is giving hourly workers a $2 per hour boost for the next month along with enhanced sick and leave benefits.
The program would impact tens of thousands of employees working across ShopRite, The Fresh Grocer, Price Rite Marketplace, Dearborn Market and Gourmet Garage stores during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Wakefern operates 354 stores in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Virginia. It employs over 70,000. There are 34 ShopRite supermarkets in NY and NJ.
“Our associates have always been the heart and soul of our business and in the wake of this current crisis, we want to thank them, and their family members that support them, for the incredible commitment they are showing to our customers,” said Joe Colalillo, chairman and CEO of Wakefern Food Corp. “They work tirelessly on the frontlines to provide an essential service to our communities; we hope these steps will assist them with their immediate financial and health concerns.”
The temporary wage premium went into effect on Sunday, March 22, and increases pay by $2.00 per hour. The enhanced sick leave and attendance policy will also assist associates with immediate financial and health concerns.
As a result of the dramatic increase in demand and volume across its stores, Wakefern and its members have kicked off a hiring push to fill a variety of positions across its warehouses and stores. The goal is to keep stores fully staffed and continue to provide the best possible customer service to shoppers and the communities where stores operate.
