Walmart hourly associates earn more than $200 million in cash bonuses

On enhancing the store experience for customers, largest retailer Walmart - recently awarded more than $ 200 million (approx Rs 1263.4 crore) in second quarter cash bonuses to more than 900,000 hourly associates across the United States. 

"These bonuses include an overall incentive plan, outlined to reward associates whose stores have met their performance target and customer service goal," Walmart said in a statement. 

The bonuses are based on stores performance from May through July of this year. Also, eligible associates can earn these bonuses four times a year. 

Mike Moore, executive vice president of Supercenters for Walmart U.S said,"Whether it’s buying something for their kids, treating themselves or saving for something great, bonus time at Walmart is always a special time for our associates."

“Our people have always been the most important part of our business and they continue to do amazing things for our customers,” said Julie Murphy, executive vice president of Neighborhood Markets for Walmart U.S. Adding Murphy said,“Sam Walton built this business on the idea of sharing profits with our associates and treating them as partners.”

Walmart has continously tried to bring in job satisfaction for its associates. In the year 2015, the company declared a two-year, $ 2.7 billion investment to its associates - which included investments in education, training and higher wages. 

Following the investment development, more than 1.2 million Walmart U.S and Sam's Club associates received pay increases on the same day earlier this year. 

This year in 2016, Walmart announced plans to open 200 Academies across the U.S. designed to teach advanced retail skills to department managers and hourly supervisors. More than 140,000 associates are expected to go through the training program each year.