Sainsbury's and Argos staff are getting pay rises and free food during shifts as part of a support package for their employees during the cost of living crisis.
The supermarket, which bought Argos in 2016, said it is offering £25m in support, £20m of which will go towards pay increases. Around 127,000 employees will get a 25p per hour rise, to a minimum of £10.25 per hour in the North East and most of England, or to £11.30 per hour in London.
It comes after the retail giant increased basic hourly pay for workers from £9.50 to £10 in January. Sainsbury's says it has now increased most frontline workers' salaries by 7.9% over the year.
Read more: Grocery bills rise by more than £500 a year on average as inflation hits hard
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recorded 10.1% inflation in July.
Staff will also be offered free basic food items during shifts from October until the end of the year, as well as increased employee discounts.
“The free food will ensure that colleagues can have something to eat while they are at work and the longer and deeper discounts will help colleagues plan and manage their budgets through the autumn and in the run up to Christmas,” the company said.
The new pay rates kick in from October 16. They do not affect employees' annual pay reviews.
Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury’s said: “Every day, I am hearing from colleagues who are really feeling the pressures of the rising cost of living.
“That’s why we are doing everything we can to help our colleagues as they face rising bills and living costs this autumn by investing £25 million into a package of support, including an early pay increase. This is the first time we have given two pay rises in the same year.”
Read next:
- Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Waitrose stores will close to mark Queen's funeral
- Tesco blasted by shoppers with over 500 complaints as they 'can't buy food'
- Aldi warns shoppers of fraudulent social media posts
- UK supermarkets face Mars Bar shortage due to production issues
- Shoppers to see change when they pay at self-scan checkouts in Tesco
