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Ingles Markets plans second worker bonus for COVID-19 efforts

Retailer's appreciation pay investment to total about $5 million

Russell Redman

June 25, 2020

2 Min Read
Ingles_Markets_storefront.jpg
Ingles Markets plans to add more than 5,000 workers to help current associates and meet extra demands brought on by the coronavirus outbreak.Ingles Markets

To recognize and support associates during the coronavirus crisis, Ingles Markets aims to pay workers a second one-time bonus next month.

Asheville, N.C.-based Ingles said late Thursday that the move repeats the “appreciation pay” investment announced in April. Plans call for a bonus of $300 for full-time and $150 for part-time active retail, distribution and corporate associates to be paid at the end of July.

“We continue to meet the daily challenge of providing a safe and clean environment for our customers and associates,” Chairman Robert Ingle said in a statement. “Our associates have made a difference during this unprecedented time. We are incredibly proud of them and wish to show appreciation for their efforts.”

The new payment applies to employees hired on or before April 24. Ingles paid the previous bonus on April 24.

In announcing the initial appreciation pay, Ingles Markets also unveiled plans to add more than 5,000 workers to help current associates and meet extra demands brought by the outbreak. The new positions augmented the workforce in the chain’s supermarkets and distribution center, bringing some relief to current staff and help the company continue to serve customers and step up cleaning of stores and facilities. At the time, Ingles Market said the hirings would expand its workforce of about 27,000 employees by 19%.

Related:Ingles Markets’ comparable-store sales rise over 17%

The company has kept customers up to date on its pandemic measures through the COVID-19 information page on its website.

Overall, Ingles Markets operates 197 supermarkets in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Virginia, including 108 in-store pharmacies and 104 fuel centers. The regional grocer’s operations also include 1.65 million square feet of warehouse and distribution facilities plus a milk processing and packaging plant that supplies its grocery stores and unaffiliated customers.

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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