Coffee chain Pret A Manger will give employees its third raise in 12 months after other companies increased wages amid labor shortages.
Pret said the increase – which is set to begin in April – amounts to a 19 percent increase in base pay for store workers from a year earlier.
Retailers like Tesco have taken similar steps over the past year as companies try to retain employees struggling with record high living costs.
Headline inflation, the rate at which prices are increasing, is 10.1%.
- Pret A Manger to scrap smoothies, frappes and milkshakes
Around 7,870 Pret A Manger employees received raises in April and December 2022.
By raising base pay above inflation, the chain said its baristas would be among the “highest paid in the industry” and could make between £11.80 and £14.10 depending on location and experience.
It said the salary increase through April for entry-level employees would represent a 15 percent pay rise from last year.
In February, Britain’s biggest grocer Tesco agreed to raise wages for its workers by 7%, marking its third pay rise in 10 months, while Asda said it would raise wages by 10%. Aldi and Lidl also announced salary increases.
The UK is suffering from a labor shortage stemming from long-term illnesses following the pandemic and a shortage of foreign workers to fill available positions.
The rising cost of living has also prompted many employees to look for jobs at better-paying companies.
Rising costs have also led to widespread work stoppages, leading to strikes in sectors such as rail, nursing and education.
“As the cost of living continues to rise, we hope this latest pay rise and our expanded benefits package will help further support our hard-working teams,” said Guy Meakin, Interim Managing Director of Pret A Manger.
In February, the retailer received complaints after it announced it would stop making smoothies, frappés and milkshakes, which can be more expensive and take longer.
Add Comment