Sainsbury’s is to give some 137,000 store-based employees a 4% salary increase.
The pay rise, which will come into effect from 30 August, will increase Sainsbury’s standard rate of pay to £7.36 per hour.
This is the highest pay increase for store staff that the supermarket has awarded in more than a decade, and will take the average salary above the government’s new national living wage of £7.20 for workers over 25, which is due to comr into effect in April 2016.
Mike Coupe, chief executive officer at Sainsbury’s, said: “We’re delighted to announce a 4% pay increase for the colleagues who work in our stores across the country.
“We know what a difference they make to our customers each and every day and we’re totally committed to rewarding them well for the great service they provide.
“I’ve talked to thousands of colleagues over the past year and they tell me how much they value their package of benefits and the flexibility that we can offer as an employer, as well as hourly pay which has always been well over the minimum wage.
“Their hard work, talent and dedication have been central to our success and will remain so in the future.”
