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Target plans fourth round of bonuses for frontline workers

$70 million investment includes $200 payments to 350,000 employees

Russell Redman

October 19, 2020

2 Min Read
Target_grocery_store_worker-COVID-face_mask.jpg
Target said the new round of bonuses is slated to be paid out by early November.Target

This month, Target Corp. plans to begin paying $200 bonuses to 350,000 frontline workers for their extra efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

Target said Monday that hourly associates in stores and distribution centers, including seasonal hires, and in customer and employee contact centers will be eligible for the bonuses, which are slated to be paid out by early November. The Minneapolis-based discount store chain noted that the bonus represents a more than $70 million investment in employees as the retailer heads into the holiday season.

“In a year like no other, I’m proud of what this team has accomplished and grateful for the care and connection they’ve provided our guests and communities,” Melissa Kremer, chief human resources officer at Target, said in a statement. “Target’s success this year is a direct result of our team members turning our purpose into action and meeting our guests’ changing needs day after day.”

Target said the latest round of payments marks the fourth time in 2020 that the company is giving bonuses to frontline workers or team leaders. In April, Target announced bonuses ranging from $250 to $1,500 for 20,000 hourly store team leads, who oversee individual departments in Target stores. The bonuses were part of a $300 million package of paid leave and employee relief benefits plus a $2 hourly wage increase through May 2.

Related:Target to raise hourly starting wage to $15

Then in mid-June, Target unveiled plans to permanently raise its starting hourly wage to $15, effective July 5, via an upgraded and extended pay and benefits package for its U.S. workforce. The retailer also announced a $200 “recognition bonus” to be paid at the end of July to frontline store and distribution center hourly workers, including full- and part-time staff, for their efforts during the COVID-19 crisis. Also in July, Target paid out performance bonuses to all store directors, executive team leaders and salaried distribution center leaders.

Overall, Target said it plans to invest about $1 billion this year on employee compensation, benefits, health and safety.

Target had announced in September 2017 that it planned to gradually raise its hourly starting wage from $11 to $15 by 2020. Most recently, the retailer had lifted its starting wage to $13 in June 2019.

For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.

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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