In the past, retailers have set themselves apart by offering a health insurance package consisting of medical, dental and vision, but more often than not these are seen as table stakes for hourly employees today.

So, how can employers increase their overall attractiveness to potential employees?

One way is through wellness or other benefits in addition to the traditional benefits package.

Bereavement leave was the most commonly offered benefit for store-level employees, offered by 82% of companies who participated in the NACS State of the Industry Report® of 2022 Data. The second most frequently offered benefit was shift differentials, offered by 71% of firms, followed by bonus/incentive programs (68%), employee assistance plans (66%) and disability insurance and maternity/paternity leave (both 63%).

These benefits are typically more likely to be available at larger retailers, but the trend of offering more benefits includes retailers of all sizes. As the race to recruit the best talent continues, it is more important than ever to get creative with benefits, listen to employees’ requests, and tailor the benefits you offer to the prospective employees you are trying to hire.