The editors at Fortune said Wegmans shows it cares about the well-being of its workers as much as its customers. In 2010, 11,000 employees took part in a challenge to eat five cups of fruit and vegetables a day and walk up to 10,000 steps a day for eight weeks. Another 8,000 took advantage of health screenings that included a flu shot and H1N1 vaccine -- all covered by Wegmans.
The second highest ranked retailer was Zappos, coming in at number six. The magazine said its "quirky, happy culture remains" despite its sale to Amazon.com. Free lunches and vending machines and a company commitment to "create fun and a little weirdness" are among Zappos' guiding principles.
Coming in third among retailers was REI. Employees receive 50 to 75 percent discounts on full-price REI branded merchandise, free skis and kayaks rentals, and an annual gift of REI gear. After 15 years with the company, employees are entitled to a four-week paid sabbatical, After that, they can take one every five years.
Other retailers landing on the list included:
Stew Leonard's (18): This family-owned supermarket doesn't give special treatment to relatives. The "13 third-generation members" who work at Stew's had to find employment with other companies after college before returning to the family business. Their first job? Working the register.
Container Store (21): The focus here is on training. First-year, full-time employees need to log a minimum of 263 training hours. The chain is also credited for its comparatively high pay with full-time sales clerk salaries averaging $44,000.
Whole Foods Market (24): Company employees get behind the chain's goal of promoting healthier lifestyles. New hires get a 20 percent discount off all items in the store and those meeting the goals of the company's healthy-living challenge get up to 30 percent.
Build-A-Bear Workshop (48): Part-timers get health, dental, and vision benefits, while HQ staff enjoy on-site yoga and Zumba workout classes.
Nordstrom (74): The upscale department store, according to Fortune, "continues to live by its one-sentence doctrine: 'Use good judgment in all situations.'"
Aéropostale (94): With four out of five employees at the teen apparel chain under 25, Fortune reports that the company can "harness their energy for good with paid time off to volunteer."