In 2022, consumer purchasing power faced repeated pressure as food and energy costs surged. The resulting economic squeeze prompted many businesses to look for ways to reward staff without inflating long-term liabilities. Punctual bonuses emerged as a practical solution. This approach has been adopted by major retailers such as H&M and Zara, and even industrial groups like Iberdrola chose to recognize workers with a one-time payment. In 2022, Iberdrola announced a lump-sum sum of 1,000 euros for all employees, reinforcing the idea that short-term incentives can counterbalance cost-of-living pressures while preserving future earnings capacity.
Sweden’s fashion label announced a discrete one-time payment of 500 euros to store employees on the January payroll. Half the amount went to staff with at least six months of tenure, while the remaining portion recognized those who had completed a full year with the company. H&M followed suit shortly after Inditex, the group founded by Amancio Ortega, unveiled a gross payout of 1,000 euros to its sales personnel, with an extra 600 euros for those working fewer than 24 hours per week. Company insiders from Arteixo stressed that the incentive was temporarily paused during the pandemic and has now been reinstated through an agreement with labor unions.
Experts attribute the timely disbursement of these incentives to the unusual conditions seen in 2022. If wage growth aligns with inflation this year, it could generate an unpredictable cascade in the years ahead, according to Valentín Bote, director of research at Randstad Research. The strategy helps employees weather rising prices while avoiding a permanent increase to the payroll budget. Many clients are advised to consider this approach given the current environment, says Josep Capell, CEINSA’s managing partner, a consultancy focused on fees and remuneration. Capell also notes that compelling the workplace can be enhanced by targeting certain roles within the retail sector, especially roles that require weekend hours, to attract and retain employees.
Difficulty to compromise
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Working in retail often means dealing with less than ideal hours, a challenge for both scheduling and worker satisfaction. In several provinces, finding store staff remains difficult, according to Ángeles Rodríguez, head of the Industry section at CCOO union. Rodríguez pointed out that the recent negotiations with H&M and Zara make it feasible to stabilize inflation through modest wages in a segment of the labor market. H&M is also engaging with unions to improve working hours and to enhance the balance between family life and career, with changes planned to take effect in January.
Retail is still viewed as a risky sector by workers. It was one of the hardest-hit due to pandemic shutdowns, and the workforce has not fully recovered. Economists note that replacing skilled staff is costly and that employers prefer to retain talent rather than churn. The broader implication is that firms are balancing immediate worker incentives with long-term cost control, a strategy that can influence how retail employment evolves in the near term.
Additionally, the interplay between inflation expectations and wage settlements continues to shape corporate decisions. Firms weigh the benefits of targeted bonuses against potential pressure for higher base pay in subsequent years. In this context, incentives can serve as a bridge, offering short-term relief for workers while maintaining the flexibility needed to manage payroll growth over time. The result is a nuanced approach to compensation where one-time payments can help stabilize the labor market during periods of volatility, without committing to permanent increases that could alter the company’s long-run financial trajectory.
Observers emphasize that the success of such measures depends on transparent dialogue with unions and a clear framework for eligibility. When properly structured, punctual bonuses can reinforce loyalty and reduce turnover, particularly in sectors with high demand for weekend or part-time workers. As inflation pressures persist, retailers may increasingly turn to similar tools to support frontline staff while protecting margins and ongoing investment in store operations and service quality.