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 is giving staff an extra week's wages for all their hard work — B&M is giving staff an extra week’s wages for all their hard workCredit: Alamy

B&M revealed the news in its latest financial statement today, which confirmed how its sales rose 22.5% to £1.4billion in the 13 weeks to 26 December.

The retailer couldn’t say how much the bonus would be worth on average per person, as it would vary depending on how many hours each employee works.

B&M also hasn’t said if every single shop floor worker will get the extra pay, or if they need to be contracted for a certain amount of hours.

But it confirmed eligible staff would get the bonus in their next payslip at the end of the month.

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 online store finder tool.

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 with plans to open 18 more before April 2021.

This would bring the total of new openings for the year to 45, offset by 10 closures.

The business also narrowed its full year profit guidance to be between £540million and £570million.

It follows the repayment of £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.”