Waitrose introduces £13.25 rule in all UK – started in April | UK | News
Store staff at Waitrose stores across the country saw their hourly pay rise earlier this year, a huge boost for the chain’s employees. From 1 April their wages were increased to at least £13.25 nationally; Those working on the M25 receive £14.80 per hour.
Pay rates rose to £14.31 per hour for workers outside the M25 “gaining advanced skills and taking on specialist roles”, while for London workers they rose to £15.98 per hour. Waitrose is operated by the employee-owned John Lewis Partnership and production staff from its parent brand John Lewis, which have also benefited from the change. This represents a 6.9% pay rise for store staff at both chains, the John Lewis Partnership said at the time; This outpaces the national minimum wage increase and means an extra £1,600 per year for a typical full-time Associate.
The wage increase, relative to retail work, represented a £108 million investment in the workforce.
Helen Webb, chief people officer at John Lewis Partnership, said: “Our partners are the heart of our business. This £108 million investment aims to put more money in their pockets every month. This pay increase demonstrates a sustainable commitment to partners’ pay, consistent with previous years.”
“This ensures that our partners’ hard work is rewarded in their monthly salaries as we continue to invest in the future of the Partnership.”
It comes after rival supermarket chains also increased workers’ wages to retain and attract staff as cost-of-living pressures continue to rise.
Sainsbury’s had previously introduced a 5 per cent above-inflation pay rise for hourly workers from March.
While the hourly wage rose to £13.23 per hour nationally, it rose to £14.54 per hour in London.
In London, wages for entry-level shop workers rise to £14.80 per hour, while experienced staff can earn up to £15.35 per hour.
The following month, Store Assistants working in Aldi’s UK branches also said their pay had been increased (to £13.50 per hour nationally, while those working on the M25 received £14.88).
These pay rates rise to £14.47 and £15.20 respectively, depending on length of service. Aldi said at the time that the change would benefit 28,000 hourly paid store workers and that the new rates were higher than any of its competitors.
