About 600 workers at Solihull’s John Lewis store are celebrating a 14 per cent bonus of seven weeks’ extra wages – from cleaners to executives.
The recession-defying performance saw staff at the Touchwood store join around 90,000 cashing in across the partnership nationwide, including staff at Waitrose.
Employees from throughout the Solihull branch gathered for a celebration as stock management team member Alison Ulyatt opened the envelope to reveal the 2012 bonus figure.
For a member of staff earning £18,000, the bonus is equivalent to more than £2,500.
The bonus award fell from 18 per cent last year.
Their efforts were praised by John Lewis Solihull managing director Richard Dearden, who told employees: “We have had a tremendously successful year despite the tough economic conditions.
“This is a precious, unique business and we need to cherish it. Fourteen per cent is an outstanding performance and it comes down to the hard work you have put in.”
Ciara O’Malley, who works in womenswear, said she planned to spend her bonus on a home with her fiancé and fellow John Lewis employee Simon Campbell, who works in the store’s home furnishings department.
“I’ve lots of ideas and the bonus is going to help us build our first home together,” she said.
And Emma Hughes, who works in the furniture department, said the money would go towards a dream trip to California as part of her 40th birthday celebrations in June.
Managing director Mr Dearden said: “The bonus is an absolute reflection of how successful the business is.
“We are not talking about bankers’ bonuses here.
“For a person who might be earning £15,000 or £18,000 a year this can make a significant difference.
“We do not have external shareholders and we are able to make decisions over many years that we believe will be right for the future of the business long-term.”
Mr Dearden said the Solihull store enjoyed “particularly strong” audio and TV sales last year, including tablet computers, e-readers and accessories, while the Royal Wedding generated lucrative sales.
