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Stater Bros. again extends COVID-19 hourly wage bonus

Extension marks the regional grocer’s fourth in less than two months

Russell Redman

May 22, 2020

2 Min Read
Stater Bros Markets store banner.jpg
Stater Bros. said its $2 wage incentive will continue to June 14 for all time worked by hourly employees.Stater Bros. Markets

With the nation still feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Southern California grocer Stater Bros. Markets is extending its hourly wage incentive for frontline workers a fourth time.

Stater Bros. said Friday that its $2-per-hour wage bonus will continue to June 14 for all time worked by hourly employees in stores, distribution facilities, corporate offices, and transportation and construction operations.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our Stater Bros. family has worked hard to serve the needs of Southern California shoppers,” CEO Pete Van Helden said in a statement. “I am extraordinarily proud of the commitment and dedication our employees display every day and this wage incentive recognizes their tireless efforts.”

Pete VAn Helden-Stater Bros Markets CEO

“They are working long hours, and some have even forfeited vacations and days off to be there for our customers,

Stater Bros. instituted the extra $2 hourly pay in March, with plans to offer the incentive from March 23 through the ensuing four weeks. “Our employees are committed to helping our community during this difficult time,” Van Helden commented at the time. “They are working long hours, and some have even forfeited vacations and days off to be there for our customers.”

Then in April, the San Bernardino, Calif.-based supermarket chain then announced two extensions of the COVID-19 incentive pay, first to May 3 and then to May 17. When the latter pay extension was made, Van Helden cited the “extraordinary efforts of our employees, who continue stepping up to ensure that service to our valued customers remains uninterrupted.” That was followed on May 12 with the announcement of another extension, to May 31.

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Overall, Stater Bros. has more than 18,000 employees and operates 169 supermarkets in the Southern California area.  

In mid- to late March, the retailer modified its store hours to 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. to accommodate the extra store cleaning in inventory restocking needed to address safety and the surge in demand with the escalation of the pandemic. The company also designed an exclusive shopping hour for seniors, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. daily.

With restrictions relaxing around the state, Stater Bros. extended its shopping hours back to between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. daily, with 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays reserved for seniors.

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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