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Big Y Foods raises pay for hourly store associates

President Charles D’Amour notes employees are ‘being squeezed by inflation’

Russell Redman

June 9, 2022

3 Min Read
Big_Y_World_Class_Market-storefront_0_0_0.jpg
Nearly 75% of Big Y's retail workforce will receive the pay increases, the regional grocer said.Big Y Foods

Later this month, New England grocer Big Y Foods plans to enact a pay raise for all hourly employees.

Under the multimillion-dollar investment, starting pay rates for all clerks, customer service, fresh food and center store specialists, and assistant department managers will be increased effective June 26, the Springfield, Mass.-based supermarket chain said Thursday. Nearly 7,600 of the company’s retail employees will receive the wage hike. The amount of the increase wasn’t disclosed. Overall, the company has almost 11,000 employees.

“We are proud to be investing in our hard-working store teams who have been on the front lines these past two years to support our customers and our community,” Charles D’Amour, Big Y president and CEO, said in a statement. “We know that household budgets are being squeezed by inflation. We hope that by boosting their hourly rates, we will help them to weather these tough times as we recognize and appreciate their efforts and their loyalty.”

Charles DAmour_Big Y Foods-president-CEO.jpg"We hope that by boosting their hourly rates, we will help them to weather these tough times as we recognize and appreciate their efforts and their loyalty." — Charles D'Amour, president & CEO, Big Y Foods (Photo courtesy of Big Y)

Store operations associates receiving the pay raise work in the Big Y supermarkets, convenience/fuel locations and Table & Vine wine and liquor store. Once the increase is implemented, all retail employees will be paid above minimum wage in both Massachusetts and Connecticut, Big Y noted. An average Big Y supermarket is supported by employees working full-time and part-time hours, including specialized positions such as cake decorators, floral specialists and various levels of management, the company said, adding that upper management weren’t included in the pay hike.

Related:Big Y Foods develops small-format store concept

“This pay increase only impacts hourly employees. There were multiple factors involved, such as the position the employee holds, whether they are full-time or part-time, and years of service to name a few. The majority of our store employees will see an increase as of June 26,” Michael Galat, vice president of employee services, told Supermarket News in an email on Thursday.

According to Big Y, recent employee feedback indicates that store teams have a “high level of appreciation” for teamwork in the workplace and their input in company initiatives. Currently, 3,282 employees have more than 10 years of service, and 7,409 have over five years of service. The grocer said more than 3,000 associates recently participated in one-on-one career pathing meetings, and all benefits packages are continuously reviewed and updated. Workers also can take part in three Employee Resource Groups, focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion as well as leadership development for women and a multi-generational workforce. Additional college internship programs, too, are being piloted with local colleges.

Related:Big Y promotes Sarah Steven to vice president of marketing

Over the past year, Big Y held three on-the-spot hiring events. Another hiring drive, for a new store opening in Norwood, Mass., got under way June 7 and runs to July 2. The company said 100 jobs are available, including full-time bakery, meat, seafood, in-store kitchen and deli department managers, assistant department managers, overnight stock clerks. Part-time positions are available in all departments.

“Our company appreciates the hard work and efforts of our employees at all times, in particular the past few years during the pandemic. Our employees were on the front line providing our customers and communities an essential service during this time,” Galat said. “We also recognize, with inflation at a 40-year high, this [wage] increase can assist our employees and their families by lessening their financial burden.”

Overall, Big Y operates 85 stores in Massachusetts and Connecticut, including 71 Big Y World Class Market supermarkets, one Table & Vine Fine Wines & Liquors store and 13 Big Y Express convenience/fuel stores. A new small-store format announced in April, Big Y Express Fresh Market, will be the company’s fourth retail banner.

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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