Wegmans, Target make Fortune’s 2022 Best Workplaces in Retail list
Labor is one of the most challenging issues for food retailers today. As grocers and convenience stores vie for a share of the limited talent pool, many look to differentiate themselves from the competition by offering a more enticing work environment, with higher wages, better benefits and enhanced training programs.
Who’s getting the job done? A look at Fortune’s recently released "2022 Best Workplaces in Retail" list reveals the top 20 retailers with satisfied employees who take pride in their work and feel valued by their employer.
To determine "Best Workplaces in Retail" list contenders, Fortune said it analyzed the survey responses of over 72,000 employees from its vetted list of “Great Place to Work-Certified” companies in the U.S. retail industry.
The survey enables employees to share confidential, quantitative and qualitative feedback about their organization’s culture by responding to 60 statements on a five-point scale and answering two open-ended questions, said Fortune. Companies with 10 to 999 people are considered for the small and medium category, while companies with 1,000 employees or more are considered for the large category.
“Collectively, these statements describe a great employee experience, defined by high levels of trust, respect, credibility, fairness, pride and camaraderie,” said Fortune.
Among the list-makers in the large category of this year’s 20 best places to work in retail, the top two — Wegmans and Target — are grocers, while the convenience store chain Sheetz comes in at No. 3. In all, seven of the 20 top retail workplaces on Fortune’s list went to grocers or c-stores this year.
Seven great places to work in retail
No. 1: Wegmans Food Markets Inc.
Known for its spacious, high-volume, experiential stores throughout the Northeast, the Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans has 52,335 U.S.-based employees and 108 supermarkets.
The Fortune survey found that 90% of employees at Wegmans say it is a great place to work compared to 57% of employees at a typical U.S.-based company. And 95% of Wegmans employees say the chain’s customers would rate the service they deliver as “excellent.”
No. 2: Target Corp.
With more than 350,000 team members and over 1,900 stores, Minneapolis, Minn.-based Target is the largest retailer of food to make Fortune’s list. The survey found that 78% of Target employees said they are “treated as a full member here, regardless of my position.”
No. 3: Sheetz Inc.
Sheetz is one of America’s fastest-growing, family-owned and -operated convenience retailers, with stores across six states, serving over 1.5 million customers daily. The Altoona, Pa.-based retailer, which says “freshly made, high-quality food” is its main focus, points to unique benefits and advancement opportunities for its 23,217 U.S.-based employees as reasons for its ability to attract and retain talent. Ninety percent of Sheetz employees surveyed by Fortune say it’s a great place to work.
No. 5: Publix Super Markets
The second-largest food retailer to make Fortune’s list of best places to work in retail, Publix in Lakeland, Fla., currently operates more than 1,295 grocery stores throughout seven states and boasts 233,841 employees in the U.S.
According to the Fortune survey, 83% of employees at Publix Super Markets say it is a great place to work, and 91% say they are given the resources and equipment necessary to do their job.
“We’ve made an effort to stay true to the philosophies Publix was founded on 92 years ago,” said Publix Director of Communications Maria Brous in a company release. “It’s gratifying to be recognized on this list, because the results are directly from the feedback and experiences of our associates.”
No. 6: Nugget Market Inc.
Family-owned and -operated since 1926, Nugget Market says it is dedicated to creating both a great place to shop and a great place to work, and the Fortune survey found that 87% of Nugget Market employees agree. The Davis, Calif.-based company employs 2,117 people.
No. 16: Aldi
A national grocer that strives to offer high-quality food at affordable prices, Aldi employs over 25,000 employees in the U.S. The Batavia, Ill.-based retailer has more than 2,100 stores across 38 states.
Seventy-nine percent of Aldi U.S. employees say it’s a great place to work.
No. 20: Southeastern Grocers
Southeastern Grocers is the parent company of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores. It serves communities throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. The Jacksonville, Fla.-based grocer has 37,505 employees in the U.S., 77% of which say SEG is a great place to work, according to Fortune.
