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Buehler’s to pay bonuses for employees’ COVID efforts

Ohio grocer to make second round of reward payments this week

Russell Redman

December 16, 2020

2 Min Read
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Including the latest payments, Buehler's will have invested nearly $1 million in holiday bonuses and appreciation pay since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.Buehler's Fresh Foods

Buehler’s Fresh Foods plans to pay out more than $740,000 in holiday bonuses to all eligible hourly and salaried employees in recognition of their extra efforts during the coronavirus crisis.

The Wooster, Ohio-based grocer said Wednesday that the bonuses will be paid on Dec. 17. Bonus amounts weren’t disclosed, but the retailer said all seasonal, part-time and full-time workers are eligible as long as they have been actively working through the COVID-19 pandemic and employed at the company for at least 90 days. 

“Considered essential workers, our employees continue to amaze and inspire as they show up every week, perform their jobs and keep food on everyone’s plate,” Dan Shanahan, president and CEO of Buehler’s Fresh Foods, said in a statement. “We are pleased to be in a position to give these holiday bonuses.”

Buehler’s noted that the bonuses mark its second round of COVID-related special pay, which the company said is designed to “provide employees with some financial relief during the pandemic.” 

At the end of March, Buehler’s announced more than $250,000 in “appreciation pay” for all employees working amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The money was paid retroactively and covered the period of March 15 to April 18. At the time, Buehler’s also made a commitment to retain its 227 restaurant staff, who were reassigned to other departments in its stores as the pandemic forced temporary closures of foodservice operations.

Related:Hy-Vee to pay bonus to pharmacy staff providing rapid antigen COVID-19 tests

Overall, Buehler’s operates 13 supermarkets in northeastern Ohio, including stores in Wooster (two), Medina (two), Orrville, Wadsworth, Ashland, New Philadelphia, Dover, Canton, Coshocton, Portage Lakes and Massillon. The company also operates a dozen restaurants in its stores — including Buehler’s Restaurant (eight locations), Chef’s Kitchen (one location), Towne Market Cafe (one location), chinese food (one location) and The Oven Works (one location) — plus six Scenic River in-store coffee shops. Twelve stores offer online grocery pickup service, and 11 provide home delivery, including via Buehler’s Delivery, Woosh Delivery and/or Instacart service.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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