Natural Grocers has announced pay increases for hourly store employees across its 162 stores. Last week, they began recieving an extra $1 per hour, which raised the company-wide average hourly pay for full-time crew members to $18.43, including $1 per hour in Vitamin Bucks.
As part of the Vitamin Bucks program, full-time and part-time crew members earn $1 for each hour worked to help purchase their groceries and other products in-store. Employee diiscounts are also given in addition to Vitamin Bucks.
The retailer is also increasing the starting wage for new hourly store crew members, effective October 18, boosting it to a range of $14 – $18.
"Competitive pay, helping provide our crew members a wage and benefits package that we believe is one of the best in the retail grocery business is the most meaningful investment we can make," said Kemper Isely, Natural Grocers' chairman and co-president, in a statement. "It's rooted in our Five Founding Principles, including 'Commitment to our good4u Crew,' and 'Commitment to our Community.' When we can retain people who are aligned with our values and provide growth-oriented career opportunities—we are investing in our community as well."
Employees also receive:
Holiday pay, birthday pay, paid time off, a retirement savings plan (401k) with discretionary company match, and paid parental and medical leave.
Fast-tracking career advancement: The Store Manager Accelerated Readiness Training (SMART) Program is a 9-month training program to promote the career advancement of highly-motivated crew members.
Caring for crew in distress: Earlier this year, the Natural Grocers Heroes in Aprons Fund, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was established. The Heroes in Aprons Fund provides short-term financial assistance to crew members or their immediate family members who have encountered severe economic hardship due to sickness, natural disasters, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Hero Pay: In March 2020, Natural Grocers recognized the crew's extraordinary efforts and commitment to keeping their communities rooted in health during the pandemic by instituting a hero pay and bonus program, which included a permanent $1 per hour pay increase for hourly crew. The incremental cost of these pay enhancements was more than $18 million as of September 30, 2021.
Related: Natural Grocers to Shoppers: Say 'No' to GMOs; Natural Grocers Joins Better Chicken Commitment
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