Sainsbury’s announces pay increase for staff becoming largest supermarket to pay new living wage

Sainsbury’s has announced it will increase its hourly pay for staff to £12 per hour, effective from March.

An investment of £200 million, this is the retailer’s single biggest ever investment into colleague pay and some 120,000 hourly paid colleagues will benefit.

Becoming the largest supermarket to pay the new Real Living Wage, Sainsbury’s colleagues outside of London will get almost £2000 extra per year, and almost £2300 extra per year for those in London.

The company states that supporting colleagues with pay and benefits is a “key part” of its Save to Invest programme, focusing on making the business simpler and more efficient, allowing it to invest in areas that will make the biggest difference to customers.

Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s said: “Our colleagues do a brilliant job delivering for our customers every day and at the same time they are continuing to face the rising costs of living.

“So, in addition to investing to keep our prices low for customers, I’m delighted to confirm an industry leading pay increase again this year for all our hourly paid colleagues.

“We continue to lead our industry in the level of reward and benefits we provide for our people and this remains a clear priority for us at Sainsbury’s. We believe well rewarded, engaged colleagues deliver the best service and attracting and retaining the best talent will be crucial to our success in delivering the next phase of our business stragey.”