Pharmacy retailer Boots UK is increasing the starting rate of pay for customer assistant staff outside of London by 7%, and that of customer assistants in London by 3%.
Customer assistants based in London currently receive a base rate of £8.77, which will increase to £9.07 in April 2016, and those outside of London will receive £7.70 instead of £7.20.
The increase will ensure all hourly paid employees will begin on a higher rate than the national living wage, regardless of their age.
The statutory £7.20 national living wage rate will come into effect from April 2016 for staff aged 25 and over.
The pay increase, which forms part of Boots UK’s three-year growth plan, is being offered as part of the organisation’s focus on investing in its workforce and recognising the efforts and commitment of its employees.
The organisation, which employs around 60,000 staff in the UK, is also consolidating its store leadership model as part of its strategic growth plan. Between 300 and 350 store management roles will be shed through a combination of redeployment, retraining, redundancy and natural attrition.
Simon Roberts, president of Boots, said: “So many of our employees deliver amazing care for our patients, customers and communities everyday and we are actively working to make sure our workers are rewarded for the great work they continue to do.
“I believe our plans will enable us to build an even better Boots and drive future growth.”