Tractor Supply recognizing employees during ‘critical time’
Tractor Supply Company announced that it is awarding appreciation bonuses to employees who have been required to work during the coronavirus crisis.
Hourly employees will receive a $2 per hour bonus, effective retroactively from March 16 to April 25.
A one-time special $1,000 bonus is being given to exempt store managers and a $500 bonus to frontline leadership and support roles, the farm and ranch retailer said.
“At Tractor Supply, our team members are at the heart of our relationship with our customers, who are depending on us at this critical time,” said Hal Lawton, Tractor Supply president and CEO. “In appreciation of our frontline team members, we are pleased to recognize their commitment to supporting our customers through one-time bonuses. We are grateful and thankful for the tireless work of our dedicated team members that are essential to serving our customers.”
The move includes employees at the Brentwood, Tenn.-based company’s PetSense stores. In addition to operating 1,844 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states, the retailer has 180 small box PetSense stores in 26 states.
Hal Lawton
Previously, the company extended its paid sick leave by two weeks for all team members affected by COVID-19.
Team members who self-report contagious, flu or COVID-19 symptoms that keep them out of work; are part of a mandated or self-imposed quarantine; are impacted by the temporary closing of a location due to the outbreak; or have a confirmed case of COVID-19 will continue to be paid during that time, according to Tractor Supply.
Tractor Supply also reported that it is making enhancements to increase the safety of customers while increasing convenience.
This includes the retailer increasing its mobile point of sale device capacity across approximately 50% of the chain within two weeks and nearly 100% of the chain by the end of April. The move will allow for a more seamless checkout process for customers. The rollout will be prioritized based on the company’s highest-volume stores to support social distancing and minimize lines.
Additionally, Tractor Supply is adding 635 stores to the company’s same day/next day delivery offering, bringing the total stores with this delivery feature to approximately 1,050 stores.
“Looking ahead, our in-store capabilities are being enhanced to elevate the safety and convenience of shopping at Tractor Supply for our customers,” Lawton said. “In the current environment, the expansion of our mobile point of sale handheld devices over the coming weeks will allow for a safer shopping experience and improved customer service. Further, we are significantly increasing our delivery options for customers with the majority of our stores now having the capability to deliver.”
Delivery services are being fulfilled primarily through third-party operators and complement the company’s “Buy Online, Pickup In Store” program.
Giving back
While Tractor Supply has had a tradition of giving back to the communities it serves, particularly when it comes to agricultural and pet organizations, the company is taking the practice a step further.
The retailer announced that it has established the Tractor Supply Company Foundation and is making a donation of $1.5 million to the growth and development of rural areas with an initial focus on COVID-19 recovery efforts.
The company is also donating $500,000 to the existing Tractor Supply Employee Assistance Fund to assist team members most impacted by COVID-19.
“Through the establishment of the Tractor Supply Company Foundation, we will lean into our core areas of expertise to support the rural communities we call home,” Lawton said. “Through our donation to Tractor Supply’s Employee Assistance Fund, we are deeply committed to supporting our team members in their time of need.”
Hourly employees will receive a $2 per hour bonus, effective retroactively from March 16 to April 25.
A one-time special $1,000 bonus is being given to exempt store managers and a $500 bonus to frontline leadership and support roles, the farm and ranch retailer said.
“At Tractor Supply, our team members are at the heart of our relationship with our customers, who are depending on us at this critical time,” said Hal Lawton, Tractor Supply president and CEO. “In appreciation of our frontline team members, we are pleased to recognize their commitment to supporting our customers through one-time bonuses. We are grateful and thankful for the tireless work of our dedicated team members that are essential to serving our customers.”
The move includes employees at the Brentwood, Tenn.-based company’s PetSense stores. In addition to operating 1,844 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states, the retailer has 180 small box PetSense stores in 26 states.
Hal LawtonPreviously, the company extended its paid sick leave by two weeks for all team members affected by COVID-19.
Team members who self-report contagious, flu or COVID-19 symptoms that keep them out of work; are part of a mandated or self-imposed quarantine; are impacted by the temporary closing of a location due to the outbreak; or have a confirmed case of COVID-19 will continue to be paid during that time, according to Tractor Supply.
Tractor Supply also reported that it is making enhancements to increase the safety of customers while increasing convenience.
This includes the retailer increasing its mobile point of sale device capacity across approximately 50% of the chain within two weeks and nearly 100% of the chain by the end of April. The move will allow for a more seamless checkout process for customers. The rollout will be prioritized based on the company’s highest-volume stores to support social distancing and minimize lines.
Additionally, Tractor Supply is adding 635 stores to the company’s same day/next day delivery offering, bringing the total stores with this delivery feature to approximately 1,050 stores.
“Looking ahead, our in-store capabilities are being enhanced to elevate the safety and convenience of shopping at Tractor Supply for our customers,” Lawton said. “In the current environment, the expansion of our mobile point of sale handheld devices over the coming weeks will allow for a safer shopping experience and improved customer service. Further, we are significantly increasing our delivery options for customers with the majority of our stores now having the capability to deliver.”
Delivery services are being fulfilled primarily through third-party operators and complement the company’s “Buy Online, Pickup In Store” program.
Giving back
While Tractor Supply has had a tradition of giving back to the communities it serves, particularly when it comes to agricultural and pet organizations, the company is taking the practice a step further.
The retailer announced that it has established the Tractor Supply Company Foundation and is making a donation of $1.5 million to the growth and development of rural areas with an initial focus on COVID-19 recovery efforts.
The company is also donating $500,000 to the existing Tractor Supply Employee Assistance Fund to assist team members most impacted by COVID-19.
“Through the establishment of the Tractor Supply Company Foundation, we will lean into our core areas of expertise to support the rural communities we call home,” Lawton said. “Through our donation to Tractor Supply’s Employee Assistance Fund, we are deeply committed to supporting our team members in their time of need.”