Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc. has increased the pay for hourly store good4u Crew members across its 162 stores in 20 states. All current hourly store associates started to receive a $1-per-hour pay increase on Oct. 4, which raised the company-wide average hourly pay for full-time employees to $18.43, including $1 per hour in Vitamin Bucks.
Effective Oct. 18, the company will also increase the starting wage for new hourly store workers. The natural and organic grocery retailer is boosting the hourly pay rate for entry-level positions to a range of $14-$18, including its Vitamin Bucks.
The pay increase comes at a time when grocers are looking not only to attract much- needed workers, but also to retain current employees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that the number of people quitting their jobs in the United States reached yet another record high in August, with about 4.3 million Americans leaving their jobs behind — especially in retail, where the quit rate is 4.7%.
“Competitive pay — helping provide our Crew members a wage and benefits package that we believe is one of the best in the retail grocery business — is the most meaningful investment we can make,” noted Kemper Isely, Natural Grocers’ chairman and co-president. “It’s rooted in our Five Founding Principles, including ‘Commitment to our good4u Crew,’ and ‘Commitment to our Community.’ When we can retain people who are aligned with our values and provide growth-oriented career opportunities, we are investing in our community as well.”
The company said that it’s continuously evolving its support of the good4u Crew and their families, now and into the future. Some of the long-standing and recent ways the grocer is supporting its associates include:
“Our mission of educating our communities about good nutrition and affordable, healthy food is more critical now than ever, and it’s fueled, as always, by our Crew’s dedication, talent and hard work. We’re grateful to each and every one of them for sharing their unique gifts with us in this journey of making our neighborhoods and our planet a healthier place,” said Natural Grocers EVP Heather Isely. “Supporting our Crew with competitive wages and a robust benefits package is just one way of showing our appreciation for the Crew’s extraordinary efforts and commitment to keeping their communities rooted in health.”
Current job positions open at Natural Grocers include cashier and head cashier, grocery and bulk department manager, produce department assistant, receiving manager, vitamin and body care assistant, and nutritional health coach. To apply, visit www.naturalgrocers.com/our-careers.
Lakewood, Colo.-based Natural Grocers is No. 95 on The PG 100, Progressive Grocer’s 2021 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America.
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