Primark increases pay for store staff in England, Scotland and Wales

Primark is to increase the hourly pay of its store staff in Great Britain, meaning around 27,000 employees will benefit from an average pay rise of 9.1%.

From 1 April 2024, the retailer will increase its average rates of hourly pay for all retail assistants across England, Scotland and Wales to £12.00 and in London, this will increase to £12.56.

This means that over the last two years, on average, store staff will have seen their hourly rate rise by more than 20%.

Kari Rodgers, UK Retail Director at Primark, said: "Our colleagues do a brilliant job serving our customers and we want everyone to be rewarded and recognised for their hard work.

"We hope this pay increase goes some way towards demonstrating our continued thanks for all that they do in our stores and for our customers."

In addition to the new changes to hourly rates, colleagues will also continue to benefit from a 15% year-round employee discount alongside a range of other benefits.

The move follows the news in January that Primark is also investing over £100 million in its UK stores this year, as it marks 50 years on the Great British High Street.

This includes the opening of three new stores before the end of 2024, beginning with its latest opening in Bury St Edmunds with Teesside Park and Glasgow Fort to follow later this year, as well as two store extensions in Westfield Stratford and the Metrocentre in Gateshead, and a further 16 store refurbishments planned as part of the retailer's ongoing refit programme.

As part of these changes, Primark will create more than 700 new jobs, and has also announced two new store locations for shoppers to expect next year in Epsom and Newbury.

Primark employs over 30,000 people across retail and its head office in the UK.