BENTONVILLE, AR - Walmart is making its position known in the industry: Investing in employees is a top priority. The retailer recently announced significant investments in its store managers with the goal of strengthening its team. Then, just yesterday, the company announced an expansion of these investments to include an annual stock grant of up to $20,000.

“It’s fair to say that we’re asking them to act like owners and to think like owners, ” said John Furner, Chief Executive Officer of the Walmart U.S. division, in a call to reporters this past Sunday, according to Seeking Alpha. This announcement comes after Walmart stated that it would raise the starting base pay for store managers, while redesigning its bonus plan.

The news source stated that the amount of the annual stock grant is based on the store format. United States-based managers of the large supercenters will receive $20,000 in stock grants, while those leading the smaller Neighborhood Market stores will get $15,000 in stock grants, and managers of Hometown stores will receive $10,000 in stock grants every year.

The stock grants will reportedly vest over a three-year period, with ownership for one-twelfth of the grant total coming every quarter. The grants will be given in April.

“Making Walmart the best place to shop means we need to make it the best place to work. To accomplish that, we are on a journey of investing in our associates—from offering competitive front-line pay to benefits that support associates’ health and well-being in all aspects of life,” said Cedric Clark, Executive Vice President of Store Operations, in a note sent to Walmart U.S. store managers. “Today, we take the next step in this journey. We’re increasing our commitment to you with an investment in store manager wages and a redesigned bonus program.”

Other changes in pay include:

• Base pay: With this investment and upcoming annual increases, the store manager average salary will go from $117,000 to $128,000 a year
• Bonus program: In addition to sales, store profits will play a bigger role in calculating managers’ annual bonus

For more from Walmart’s initial note, click here.

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