Waitrose staff play holidays after 17% bonus
Published 14 Mar 2013 09:30
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Staff at the Waitrose store in Bond Way, Bracknell, celebrate the news of their 17% bonus.
STAFF at Waitrose have been celebrating after being told they will receive a 17% bonus - up 3% on last year.
The Bracknell-based chain is rewarding staff with an extra nine weeks' pay after Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, announced that the company has gained market share for the fourth consecutive year.
Workers at the Waitrose store in Bond Way, which opened its doors in November 2011, were delighted with last Thursday's news.
Will Durrant, assistant section manager for customer services, said: "It's a challenging climate for businesses at present so a bonus is an extremely welcome one, but for me personally it's particularly timely as I am looking forward to getting married next month!"
For supermarket assistant Linda Nelson, the bonus means she can enjoy some Mexican sunshine.
"This is the team's first bonus where we have a full year's trade behind us and we're all thrilled," she gushed. It was even better than expected and a lovely surprise."
The big bonus will go to 84,700 John Lewis and Waitrose workers nationwide and bosses say it reflects the business's 10.5% increase in gross sales. With no shareholders, it is the workers who benefit from a slice of John Lewis Partnership's profits.
Gem Hales works on the service counters in the Bracknell store and said: "It is the culmination of the hard work we all put in to ensure we continue to attract customers here.
"We couldn't believe it's jumped up by so much from last year and I think a lot of people have already earmarked theirs for some well-deserved treats - a holiday in Turkey and a trip to see my parents, who I haven't seen for a long time, is definitely on the cards!"
Mr Mayfield said Waitrose's sales growth has exceeded expectations and predicted it will continue even more this year - although less strongly than in 2012/13.
"We were encouraged by the acceleration in the rate of sales growth during the year, particularly in the final quarter," he said.
"Although the market remains challenging, the Partnership has adapted quickly and successfully and we saw the benefits this year."
Mr Mayfield said the company - which has its Waitrose head office in Bracknell - has continued to innovate new products and has also seen a rapid surge in online shopping.
He added: "In recent years, the Partnership has consciously invested to have the right skills, systems and organisational structures to be able to offer customers what they want in a fast-changing market."
This article appeared in Bracknell News 14 Mar 13
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