B&M to give 30,000 workers an extra week’s wages as a ‘thank you’ for hard work
B&M is to give 30,000 shop floor workers an extra week’s wages as a thank you for their hard work during the coronavirus crisis.
The retailer has been allowed to keep its doors open throughout all three lockdowns due to it being an “essential” business.
B&M revealed the news in its latest financial statement today, which confirmed how sales rose 22.5% to £1.4billion in the 13 weeks to December 26.
B&M wouldn't provide a figure for the average payout because how much the bonus is worth depends on how many hours each employee works.
But it did confirm to The Sun that eligible staff will receive the extra pay in their next payslip at the end of the month.
It's not clear if all shop floor staff will get the payout or whether they must be contracted for a certain number of hours to qualify. We've asked B&M and will update you when we know more.
How to find your nearest B&M
B&M has around 673 stores in the UK, with all its branches open during the third lockdown.
Opening times for each location will vary, so make sure you check when your local is open before you venture out.
But keep in mind you should only be visiting to pick up essential goods, such as good and medicine.
You can find your nearest B&M by using its .
Meanwhile, founder and chief executive Simon Arora also benefited from the sales boost after paying himself a £30million bonus.
It comes on top of the £44million dividend payout he received almost two months ago.
A new special dividend of 20p-a-share - worth £20million in total - is also being handed out to shareholders.
Mr Arora and his family are the biggest shareholders in the business.
B&M currently has 673 stores with plans to open 18 more before April 2021.
This will bring the total of new openings for the year to 45, although there were also 10 planned closures.
The business also lowered its expected profits to between £540million and £570million after it repaid £80million in business rates relief.
Mr Arora said: "Our trading performance is testament to the hard work and commitment of all our colleagues, to whom I express my sincere thanks.
"The safety and wellbeing of our customers and colleagues has remained our priority during these unprecedented times, whilst we have worked hard to provide customers with the everyday essentials they need."
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