March 15 marked the one-year anniversary of The Save Mart Companies recognizing and compensating its frontline store and distribution center employees with weekly hazard pay and other COVID-19 related benefits without interruption, continuing its “Employees First” commitment and prioritizing their safety and well-being.
Starting in March 2020, The Save Mart Companies began providing weekly hazard pay for all hourly frontline employees across all three banners – Lucky/Lucky California, FoodMaxx and Save Mart – and at their distribution centers, encompassing approximately 16,000 workers in California and Northern Nevada.
“Our stores would not operate without the dedication of our frontline store and distribution center employees and we are enormously humbled and grateful for their resilience and adaptability,” said Hal Levitt, senior vice president of retail operations and supply chain for The Save Mart Companies. “And with the vaccine eligibility expanding to include grocery workers, we have also instituted flexibility and paid time off as needed for employees who elect to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.”
To protect both frontline employees and customers, throughout the pandemic The Save Mart Companies has strictly enforced stringent health and safety protocols in all 204 Save Mart, Lucky/Lucky California, and FoodMaxx stores including:
• Implementing a sick-leave bank to account for extended leaves due to COVID-19 and paid leave to accommodate child-care.
• Providing employees with face coverings, hand sanitizer and gloves.
• Requiring employees and customers to wear face coverings when in its stores.
• Installing Plexiglas shields at all full-service check stands (front and rear-facing), self-service check stands, bakery, deli, and pharmacy counters.
• Social distancing measures in place, including floor decals and customer capacity limits to allow for six-foot social distancing.
• Conducting wellness checks at the beginning of each shift.
• Increasing frequency and intensity of surface cleaning and disinfecting, including check stands, shopping carts, high touchpoint areas, and employee common areas.
The Save Mart Companies (TSMC) operates 204 stores throughout California and Northern Nevada under the banners Lucky, Lucky California, FoodMaxx, Save Mart and MaxxValue Foods. In addition to its retail operation, TSMC also operates Smart Refrigerated Transport and is a partner in Super Store Industries (SSI), which owns and operates a distribution center in Lathrop and the Sunnyside Farms dairy processing plant in Turlock. For more information on the company, visit: www.TheSaveMartCompanies.com.
