More than 21,000 Sainsbury’s employees took part in its three or five-year sharesave plans in 2013, up from the 18,000 staff who participated in 2012.

The figures were published in the grocery retailer’s Third quarter corporate responsibility and society update on 8 January.

Sainsbury’s has provided sharesave schemes for staff since 1981.

Angie Risley, group HR director at Sainsbury’s, said: “For more than 30 years Sainsbury’s has had a well-established programme of colleague share ownership and it’s an essential part of our strategy as a responsible employer.

“We’ve made a firm commitment to increase the number of colleagues with shares in our business by 25% by 2020 as part of our 20 by 20 Sustainability Plan, so we’re making great progress toward this target.

“Last year alone, 11,000 colleagues shared in Sainsbury’s continued success through the scheme, which paid out £23 million in 2013.

“The real stake in our business is to reward them and their families, contributing to a vibrant and strong workplace where colleagues have interests that are genuinely aligned to our performance.”

The retailer also increased its employee discount from 10% to 15% during the 2013 Christmas season as a thank-you for employees’ hard work.

Justin King, chief executive of Sainsbury’s, said: “Our commitment to creating a great place to work is recognised and appreciated by our customers. They consistently tell us that it is the most important part of being a responsible retailer.

“This is especially the case at Christmas. This year we saw our best-ever connection to local communities, from carol singing as part of our Singing At Sainsbury’s initiative to charity bag packing to raise money for our local charity partners.

“We also increased employees’ discount from 10% to 15% over the festive season as a thank-you for everyone’s hard work and commitment in ensuring we delivered for customers over Christmas.”