Sainsbury's increases store staff pay to £10 an hour

Sainsbury's has announced an increase in its basic hourly rate pay for all Sainsbury's and Argos store colleagues, as part of a £100 million investment.

Effective from 6 March 2022, the basic hourly pay will rise from £9.50 to £10, £11.05 for inner London and £10.50 in outer London.

Emphasised by the retailer, the pay increase recognises the "extraordinary work" its store staff do for customers.

Sainsbury’s is also increasing additional payment rates for drivers. Grocery drivers will now get £11.50 per hour and Argos Fast Track Delivery drivers will receive £11 per hour.

As part of its reward package, all Sainsbury’s, Argos and Habitat colleagues receive 10% discount on their shopping at all three brands. At certain times during the year the colleague discount at Sainsbury’s increases to 15%, saving a typical store colleague about £300 per year. This increase will now occur every pay day for five days to help colleagues plan their budgets and shopping better.

Simon Roberts, CEO at Sainsbury’s, said: “To kick off the New Year, I am pleased that one of the first things we are doing is investing in our colleagues and lifting our basic hourly rate of pay to £10.

"We are making this significant investment to show our colleagues how much we value the brilliant job they do for our customers every day. It also reflects the significant progress we are making against our plan and to save money we can invest in lower prices, offer fantastic colleague service and make shopping convenient for customers.

“We have also listened to our colleagues and are enhancing our colleague discount scheme to help them plan their grocery spend and manage their shopping budgets better, which could save colleagues hundreds of pounds a year.”