Ikea has paid €100m into a new loyalty scheme for its 136,000 staff worldwide.

Ikea today informed its 7,200-strong workforce across the UK and Ireland of the programme, available to those who have been with the Swedish furniture retailer for five years.

Under the scheme, named Tack! – which is ‘thank you’ in Swedish – Ikea will pay into employees’ pension plans if the retailer hits global sales targets.

Ikea said that each of the 4,000 qualifying full-time employees in all 19 of its UK and Ireland stores could receive a lump sum of approximately £500 into their pension pot next September – the equivalent to nearly two weeks’ pay for some.

Ikea chief executive Peter Agnefjäll said: “The introduction of the Tack! programme has been inspired by [Ikea founder] Ingvar Kamprad’s wish to share the success of the Ikea Group with the co-workers. 

“Everyone, no matter what position they hold at the Ikea Group, contributes to our growth and is important to our continued success.”

In November Ikea reported that UK sales grew 3.1% to £1.27bn in the year to August 31, 2013.