Enhanced £50,000 bonus for UK employees at Rough Trade after an exceptional fiscal year
Rough Trade, the iconic independent record store, has announced a significant boost for its UK workforce. In April 2024, the company expanded its operations with the opening of Rough Trade Liverpool, and now, they've made headlines again with the announcement of a £50,000 employee bonus fund.
This generous move is a direct response to the surge in UK vinyl sales, which has contributed to Rough Trade's record financial year. The bonus fund, doubling the retailer’s traditional allocation, represents 20% of Rough Trade’s net profits for the year.
The bonus fund is an enhancement of Rough Trade’s existing profit-sharing model and will be distributed among 110 employees, approximately 93% of the UK team, via the August 2025 payroll. Each eligible staff member receives a pro-rata bonus depending on their length of service during 2024, with an average payment of around £454.55.
"The team is the heart of our operations," said David Anderson, director of people and operations at Rough Trade. "This bonus is more than a financial gesture, but an acknowledgment of the creativity, commitment, and camaraderie that drive our success."
Rough Trade has maintained its status as a Real Living Wage employer since early 2022, reinforcing its broader values of fairness and meaningful employee support. Despite macroeconomic pressures, the company continues to invest in staff development, operational innovation, and strategic growth across physical and digital platforms.
The growth in vinyl sales was a major factor behind the record financial year, alongside strategic milestones such as the openings of Rough Trade Liverpool and Rough Trade Denmark Street stores and the company’s most successful Record Store Day to date.
As Rough Trade approaches its 50th anniversary in 2026, the company remains committed to delivering immersive, community-driven retail experiences, both in-store and online. With the £50,000 bonus fund, Rough Trade is not just celebrating its financial success but also recognising the contributions of its dedicated team.
"Employees at Rough Trade, the iconic record store, are set to benefit from a bonus fund due to the surge in UK vinyl sales and the opening of Rough Trade stores, contributing to a record financial year. The £50,000 bonus fund, a doubling of the retailer's traditional allocation, represents 20% of Rough Trade’s net profits for the year. This bonus will be distributed among 110 employees, approximately 93% of the UK team, and will cover various areas of the company, such as lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, travel, and more."
"Rough Trade's employee bonus fund is not just a financial gesture, but an acknowledgment of the creativity, commitment, and camaraderie that drive the success of this immersive and community-driven company, both in-store and online."
"Investing in staff development, operational innovation, and strategic growth across physical and digital platforms, Rough Trade is not just celebrating its financial success but also recognizing the contributions of its dedicated team, as it approaches its 50th anniversary in 2026."
