Waitrose store partners are set to see wages rise by at least 7.4%, following an inflation-busting £114m investment into pay by the John Lewis Partnership.
From 1 April, the hourly wage for JLP’s 66,000 store workers will rise to £12.40 from £11.55 around the UK, and from £12.89 to £13.85 for London-based partners working inside the M25.
Some may see their pay enhanced further, with those deemed to have made an as yet undefined “exceptional contribution” to the partnership to receive a pay increase of up to 9.4%.
Furthermore, any customer-facing colleague who has taken on additional skills or specialist roles will see hourly pay rise to £13.39 outside of London, and £14.96 inside the M25.
JLP said £88m of the pay rise was voluntary, and outstrips increases to the national living wage, which is set to increase by 6.7% for workers aged 21 and over from April. It also outstrips the current rate of inflation which is running at 3.9%.
“Our partners are co-owners of our business and their service to our customers is what sets us apart, so we have chosen to make another very significant investment in partner pay this year,” Jo Rackham, JLP interim executive director for people, said.
“This signals our continued commitment to our partners’ pay, taking our total investment over the last three years to £295m.”
The partnership also offers a “generous” package of benefits including 25% off at John Lewis and 20% off at Waitrose stores, equal parental leave and subsided holidays at the Partnership-owned hotels.
It’s the latest retailer to announce its annual pay as grocers approach the end of their financial years in April.
Read more: How much do supermarkets pay their staff?
The announcement comes ahead of JLP’s annual results on 13 March. After a difficult Christmas, JLP is anticipated to announce that it’s missed its sales target, with partners expected to miss out on their bonus for a third consecutive year.
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