Increased bonus fund of £50,000 for UK employees at Rough Trade, announced after a successful and profitable year.
Rough Trade, the iconic independent music retailer, has announced a significant employee bonus fund of £50,000 for its UK team members. This fund, representing a doubling of its usual bonus allocation, is a testament to the company's successful 2024, marked by growth in UK vinyl sales and strategic achievements.
The bonus will be shared among 110 employees, representing 93% of the team. Each employee's payment will be on a pro-rata basis and will vary depending on their length of service during the 2024 calendar year. The average distribution of the bonus will be £454.55 per employee.
The reason behind this generous bonus is rooted in Rough Trade's strong financial performance, driven by a surge in UK vinyl record sales throughout 2024. Other factors contributing to this bonus include the successful opening of new stores, such as Rough Trade Liverpool in April and Rough Trade Denmark Street, London in October, and the company’s most successful Record Store Day ever, which bolstered sales and customer engagement.
This initiative aligns with Rough Trade's broader commitment to being a Real Living Wage employer since early 2022, emphasising fairness and meaningful workforce support. The company remains dedicated to delivering immersive, community-driven retail experiences, both in-store and online.
David Anderson, the director of people and operations at Rough Trade, stated that the team is the heart of everything they do. He emphasised that the bonus is "more than a financial gesture" and an acknowledgment of the creativity, commitment, and camaraderie that fuel Rough Trade's continued evolution as an independent music retailer.
In the face of macroeconomic pressures, Rough Trade continues to invest in staff development, operational innovation, and strategic growth across physical and digital platforms as it approaches its 50th anniversary in 2026.
[1] Rough Trade Press Release, 2024 [2] Financial Reports, Rough Trade, 2024
- The significant increase in UK vinyl sales and the successful opening of home-and-garden stores like Rough Trade Liverpool and Rough Trade Denmark Street have contributed to the company offering deals-and-discounts on shopping items beyond music, such as lifestyle products, to its employees.
- With Rough Trade's victory inRecord Store Day 2024, which boosted sales and customer engagement, employees can now shop for home-and-garden and lifestyle items at exclusive deals-and-discounts, as the company's generosity extends beyond vinyl sales to offer a well-rounded shopping experience for both in-store and online customers.
