10 Retail Companies With the Highest Employee Retention

There's a lot of talk about customer loyalty, but employee loyalty says just as much about a company. When retail workers stay for years, it usually points to steady management, fair pay, and a workplace worth returning to. Using Resume.io research that ranked retailers by median employee tenure on LinkedIn, here are the 10 retail companies that keep their employees the longest.

10. Albertsons — 6.0-year average tenure

Albertsons Companies, Inc. is a grocery chain founded in Boise, Idaho, where it is still headquartered. Its founder started out as a district manager for Safeway. A longtime rival to Kroger for the title of largest U.S. supermarket, Albertsons holds one of the highest retention rates in retail, averaging six years per hire. Albertsons was also among the first retailers to add magazine racks, scratch bakeries, and in-store ice cream. On Glassdoor, one recurring note is that "most of the cashiers and clerks are great people."

9. Safeway — 6.1-year average tenure

Safeway Inc. was also founded in Idaho, in American Falls, in 1915. The chain claims to have introduced pricing produce by the pound, "sell by" dates on products, and dedicated store parking lots. Now headquartered in Pleasanton, California, Safeway is a subsidiary of its former rival, parent company Albertsons. Average employee tenure is 6.1 years. Glassdoor reviewers point to "great people and nice to have different work locations daily."

8. Macy's — 6.1-year average tenure

Founded in 1858, Macy's is one of the few remaining department stores that aren't closing completely, and it remains a mainstay American retail brand. It carries everything from clothing to beauty products and toys, and in 2015 it became the largest U.S. department store company by sales. Macy's is woven into American culture through its holiday window displays and its Thanksgiving Day Parade. Employees stay an average of 6.1 years, tied with Safeway. On Glassdoor, many describe colleagues as "great people to work with who are both technically knowledgeable and eager to help one another."

7. Bloomingdale's — 6.3-year average tenure

Bloomingdale's is another American department store, built around luxury goods. Founded in 1861 in New York City, it still operates and remains headquartered there. Macy's became its parent company after a merger. The chain keeps a lower profile than its parent but posts a healthy 6.3-year average tenure. Glassdoor reviews cite friendly coworkers and "good benefits and 401K."

6. Winn✓Dixie — 6.3-year average tenure

Winn✓Dixie is the third grocery chain on this list, also at a 6.3-year average. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, it operates mainly across the U.S. South. After coming close to failing in bankruptcy in 2005, it closed many stores before being acquired. It now operates under Southeastern Grocers, alongside Harveys Supermarket; an investor group backed by C&S Wholesale Grocers reacquired the business from Aldi in early 2025. Founded in 1925 and renamed in 1955, Winn-Dixie is known for its Chek brand of soft drinks. On Glassdoor, employees mention building relationships "throughout my career."

5. Costco — 6.3-year average tenure

Costco sits at the middle of the list with a 6.3-year average, and is the fourth grocery-oriented retailer here. The members-only warehouse chain ranks among the world's top ten retailers and among America's largest companies by revenue. Costco opened its first warehouse in Seattle in 1983 and merged with Price Club in 1993 to form PriceCostco. According to Glassdoor reviews, employees say "the benefits are great and so are the raises you get based on time on the job," and "the pay is good and the job keeps you busy."

4. Giant Eagle — 6.6-year average tenure

Giant Eagle pushes the average up to 6.6 years per employee. The supermarket chain was founded in 1918 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and remains privately held, concentrated across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, where it continues to expand. On Glassdoor, workers cite "good benefits" and the convenience of buying lunch and drinks at work.

3. Saks Fifth Avenue — 6.7-year average tenure

Saks Fifth Avenue is the list's second luxury department store. The company traces to 1867 in Washington, D.C., and opened its Fifth Avenue flagship in 1924. It has adapted through the rise of e-commerce and social media, and spun off Saks Off 5th, an off-price outlet that is run independently. Employees stay an average of 6.7 years. Glassdoor reviewers call it "great for people who want to get to know current fashions" and note "great benefits and discounts; tons of room for growth."

2. Wegmans — 6.7-year average tenure

Wegmans is a privately owned, family-run supermarket chain headquartered in Rochester, New York. Founded in 1916, it has stayed in the founding family for more than a century. The company expands cautiously, running about 115 stores as of 2026, mostly along the East Coast, and posts a 6.7-year average tenure. On Glassdoor, employees praise the health benefits and say "the people are great and friendly."

1. Ahold Delhaize — 7.2-year average tenure

At the top is another grocery retailer: Ahold Delhaize, with a 7.2-year average tenure. Unlike the rest of the list, it isn't American. Dutch retailer Ahold merged with the Belgian Delhaize Group in 2016 to form Ahold Delhaize. The company traces its roots back more than 150 years and runs an R&D operation that develops retail strategies with academic partners. Glassdoor reviewers mention that "people are friendly and nice" and that "work-life balance is good for some teams."

What keeps retail employees on the job

According to research from Lucida, six factors do the most to improve employee retention:

• Workplace culture and the people
• Being recognized at work
• Meaningful benefits
• Ongoing training
• Quality of the work environment
• Alignment with the company's values and mission

The pattern here is clear: the retail companies with the longest tenure are almost all grocery chains or department stores. Both tend to be large, busy, people-heavy workplaces, and those conditions build strong coworker relationships and offer variety on the job. These same companies rank highly among the best companies to work for in retail. Across nearly every Glassdoor review, the common thread is coworkers who get along. Retailers that pay fairly, offer real benefits, and give people room to grow tend to keep their teams the longest.