Coffee and sandwich chain Pret a Manger on Tuesday 11 October became the latest British retailer to raise staff pay for a second time this year to help workers navigate a worsening cost-of-living crunch amid a tight labour market.
Details
With Britain's unemployment rate down to its lowest since 1974 at 3.5%, retailers are having to repeatedly hike wages to attract and retain staff.
Groups including market leader Tesco, Sainsbury's and Currys have all recently announced pay increases.
The Bank of England is watching pay settlements closely as it mulls further rises in interest rates.
Pret, owned by investment group JAB and founder Sinclair Beecham, said that from 1 December all UK employees across shops and its support centre will receive a 5% pay increase, equating to a 13% rise within a year. UK inflation was 9.9% in August.
The group, which employs 8,600 shop staff, said the latest rise will cost it £10 million, surpassing a 9.2 million investment made in April.
Pret "team members" will see their pay increase from between £9.80 and £11.00 per hour to between £10.30 and £11.55 depending on location.
Barista pay will increase from between £10.30 and £11.90 an hour to between £10.85 and £12.50.
Bonuses
Bonuses can take pay higher and staff also get free food and drink while working.
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