SAINSBURY’S is offering over 125,000 staff a pay rise to help them through the cost of living crisis.
The supermarket chain is investing £25 million into its staff.
Sainsbury’s is offering its staff a pay rise
It means 127,000 hourly paid staff will get a 25p increase in their salary from October.
Pay for retail workers will go from £10 to £10.25 and from £11.05 to £11.30 per hour in London.
It is the first time colleagues will receive an autumn pay rise outside of the annual pay review.
It comes alongside a support package which will also give staff access to basic food items during shifts from October to December.
Staff will also be offered increased discounts in Sainsbury’s stores and at Argos.
Simon Roberts, Sainsbury’s chief executive, said: “Every day, I am hearing from colleagues who are really feeling the pressures of the rising cost of living.
“That’s why we are doing everything we can to help our colleagues as they face rising bills and living costs this autumn by investing £25 million into a package of support, including an early pay increase.
“This is the first time we have given two pay rises in the same year.
“Our top priority is to support our customers and colleagues.
“We are proud of our track record on colleague pay and, with this latest package of an additional pay rise, free food at work and bigger colleague discounts, we are very focused on doing as much as we can to help our colleagues and their families through this autumn and winter.”
How does Sainsbury’s staff pay compare to other supermarkets?
Sainsbury’s and Argos staff are not the only ones getting a pay rise this year.
Aldi also announced 26,000 members of staff will get a pay rise from this month.
The discount supermarket will pay all store assistants a minimum of £10.50 nationally – and £11.95 within the M25.
Around 4,200 logistics workers will benefit from a pay rise this month as well.
Morrisons is giving 80,000 store and manufacturing workers a 2% pay rise next month.
Minimum wage for London staff will rise to £11.05 an hour.
Last year, Lidl upped its entry-level pay for workers from £9.50 to £10.10 an hour outside of London and £10.85 to £11.35 within the M25.