Published Oct. 23, 2025 | Kate Tornone

While the compensation option may be well associated with executives and tech startups, it’s increasingly being offered elsewhere, such as to Walmart store managers.

Equity grants — a compensation option that gives employees company stock — are increasing in popularity around the globe, according to a report published last week.

That means HR professionals should think beyond pay and design compensation strategies that integrate short-term cash rewards with long-term equity incentives, according to Deel and Carta research.

“Positioning equity as a central component — not a supplementary perk — can help attract top talent, align employee interests with company growth, and improve retention without overextending fixed payroll costs,” according to the firms.

Such efforts are particularly important for employers aiming to be competitive in certain industries or in a global market, they said. 

For example, equity is increasingly valued as part of total compensation in emerging markets like Brazil and India, according to the report. There’s also a shift toward equity-heavy compensation for technical talent, it showed — something that could be relevant for employers seeking specialized AI talent.

While the compensation option may be well associated with executives and tech startups, it’s increasingly being offered elsewhere — like to Walmart store managers, for example. The employer last year announced plans to add $20,000 in stock grants to the annual compensation packages of Supercenter store managers in the U.S. The company said managers of other types of Walmart stores would be eligible for $10,000 and $15,000 stock grants.

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Source: HR Dive

https://www.hrdive.com/news/equity-isnt-just-for-executives-stock-grants-employees/803637/