In what is a clear indication that its customers are keeping their money in their pockets, Super­quinn has cut its workers' Christmas bonus by 30% and insisted they take the reduced bonus in the form of Superclub points rather than cash.

Unions for the retail grocer, which employs 3,000 people in 30 stores nationwide, have now rebranded the company 'Superscrooge'.

"To tell Superquinn staff that their Christmas is going to be cut by 30% with only three weeks until Christmas is unforgiveable," said Gerry Light of shopworkers' union Mandate. "We're talking about some very low-paid workers who need every euro they can get this year and haven't had the opportunity, or indeed the ability, to save all year for this eventuality.

"These people, some of whom have been scrimping and saving all year, were relying on that bonus to ensure they have a comfortable Christmas for them and their families during the most expensive period this year."

The Christmas bonus in Superquinn is usually one week's wages and up to now staff could take it in the form of cash, said Light.

Christmas bonuses, varying from one to two weeks' wages and/or vouchers, are a tradition in the retail sector.

Light warned Superquinn and any other retailer contemplating a similar move that "necessary steps" will be taken by the workers and the unions to "bring the employers back to their senses".

Senator Feargal Quinn founded Superquinn almost 50 years ago and sold the company to Select Retail Holdings in 2005 for €420m. At the time staff were paid a generous loyalty bonus for their contribution to the company over the years.