Walmart Inc. said it would pay another round of bonuses to U.S. workers as the retailer, like rival Amazon.com Inc., seeks to retain and reward staffers managing a surge in sales during the coronavirus pandemic.
Walmart said it would pay $300 cash bonuses to full-time workers and $150 bonuses to part-time associates in the U.S. on Dec. 24. Last week, Amazon.com said it would pay a round of cash bonuses to its employees.
It will be Walmart’s fourth special cash bonus paid to U.S. staff since the start of the pandemic. The company said the Christmas Eve bonuses will cost $388 million. Walmart also paid $319 million in regular quarterly bonuses on Nov. 24, which the company has long paid employees based on store performance.
Walmart has reported strong sales and profit figures in recent quarters as shoppers flock to stores offering food, one-stop shopping and online-order pickup. Including typical quarterly bonuses, Walmart said it has paid more than $2.8 billion in cash bonuses this year.
The company said about 1.5 million workers will get the latest bonuses, including staff at Walmart stores and distribution centers and its Sam’s Club warehouse chain. Drivers and assistant managers will also receive a special cash bonus, it said.
