Waitrose and cooperative groups are facing increasing pressure to repay the government’s business relief rate.
Following this week’s news, pressure on the rest of the supermarket rivals has been mounted as Tesco, Morrison, Asda, Sainsbury and Aldi are all committed to returning the cash they received at the height of the pandemic. .
The cooperative said the group has had a financial conflict amid the pandemic amid the commitment to pay funeral costs and national living wages.
A spokesperson said, “The cooperative’s response to helping to train and care for the nation during Covid is outstanding and we are extremely proud of what our colleagues have achieved.”
Meanwhile, Waitrose says he won’t return the money. The supermarket group said, “We are very grateful for this important support as we lost significant sales while John Lewis Shop is closed and we have invested so much to keep our partners and customers safe. .”
“We are a business owned by our employees, not external shareholders. We are not going to pay a bonus this year. Whenever we make money, it’s our partner, our business, You will be invested in charities.”
John Lewis Partnership owns both Waitrose and M&S. M&S reported its first loss on Novermber, and John Lewis canceled the 2021 annual staff bonus, and is also directed to full-year losses.
Asda was the latest to join a supermarket group that said they would pay off relief rates. The supermarket said: “We recognize that the impact of Covid-19 will last much longer and that there are other industries and businesses whose survival is essential for thousands of jobs.”
“However, as vaccine hopes and more “normal” lives grow in 2021, I am sure we are in a strong position to do the right thing again for the communities we serve.” The CEO added.
So far, the Treasury has received £1.8 billion from supermarkets.
