John Lewis and Waitrose store employees set for important pay hike

[ad_1] Your assist helps us to inform the story From reproductive rights to local weather change to Large Tech, The Impartial is on the bottom when the story is growing. Whether or not it is investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our newest documentary, 'The A Phrase', which shines a light-weight on the American ladies preventing for reproductive rights, we all know how vital it's to parse out the details from the messaging.

At such a crucial second in US historical past, we want reporters on the bottom. Your donation permits us to maintain sending journalists to talk to either side of the story.

The Impartial is trusted by Individuals throughout the whole political spectrum. And in contrast to many different high quality information retailers, we select to not lock Individuals out of our reporting and evaluation with paywalls. We consider high quality journalism must be accessible to everybody, paid for by those that can afford it.

Your assist makes all of the distinction. Learn extra The John Lewis Partnership has introduced a major 6.9 per cent pay improve for its store employees, efficient from 1 April.

The worker-owned retail large, encompassing John Lewis shops and Waitrose supermarkets, confirmed the transfer represents a considerable £108 million funding in its employees.

This newest rise outstrips the nationwide minimal wage improve unveiled in final November's autumn finances.

Store flooring workers throughout each manufacturers will see their minimal hourly price climb to £13.25 nationwide.

For these working inside the M25, the minimal price will additional improve to £14.80.

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/01/07/00/9709a1f94c44241bba6af164b7d8b0eaY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzY3ODAxMjA1-2.79098379.jpg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/01/07/00/9709a1f94c44241bba6af164b7d8b0eaY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzY3ODAxMjA1-2.79098379.jpg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/01/07/00/9709a1f94c44241bba6af164b7d8b0eaY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzY3ODAxMjA1-2.79098379.jpg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="Waitrose and John Lewis are investing heavily into their shop staff" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

Waitrose and John Lewis are investing closely into their store employees (PA Archive) The rise will translate to an annual rise of round £1,600 per yr for a typical full-time worker.

It comes forward of the nationwide minimal wage rising by 50p from £12.21 to £12.71 per hour for employees aged 21 and over from April 1.

The group mentioned it should additionally improve the speed of pay for employees with enhanced expertise or extra specialist roles to £14.31 per hour, rising to £15.98 inside the M25.

Helen Webb, chief individuals officer for JLP, mentioned: “Our companions are the heartbeat of our enterprise.

“This £108 million funding is about placing more cash into their pockets month-in, month-out.

“This pay development demonstrates a sustained dedication to companion pay, in line with earlier years.

“This ensures that the rewards for our companions’ onerous work are constructed into their month-to-month pay as we proceed to put money into the way forward for the Partnership.”

The announcement comes a month forward of the group’s annual outcomes, the place it's anticipated to stipulate whether or not employees will obtain an annual bonus.

Final yr, JLP shelved a possible annual bonus for companions for the third yr working regardless of improved earnings.

Final summer season, the corporate indicated in an inside replace that employees may very well be in line for a bonus if it beats a £200 million revenue goal.