BJ's Wholesale Club Hands Out $25 Million in Gift Cards to Workers

BJ's Wholesale Club said on October 13 that it will distribute $25 million in gift cards to more than 30,000 hourly employees, with individual awards ranging from $250 to $2,000 depending on length of service, Boston.com reported.

The Marlborough-based warehouse retailer described the payout as the biggest employee recognition award it has ever made, timed to the chain's 42nd anniversary. Scott Schmadeke, the company's executive vice president and chief operations officer, told workers about the awards at a club in Grand Prairie, Texas.

"At BJ's Wholesale Club, we literally live it every single day," Schmadeke said of the company's stated purpose, according to Boston.com.

Bob Eddy, chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement that the company is extending that purpose to staff at its clubs and distribution centers.

The retailer's last comparable payout came in 2021, when it distributed $8 million to full-time and part-time staff. It has added close to 50 locations since then.

The chain traces its start to a single Medford location that opened in 1984. It now counts more than 8.5 million members and operates 268 clubs in 22 states, selling bulk groceries, produce, deli and bakery goods, household items and electronics.

This story was first reported by Boston.com.