Shop workers have seen their pay increases slow despite an increase in the number of hours they work.
Figures from the Industrial Relations Service (IRS) revealed that the majority of retailer workers have experienced a 2.5 per cent pay increase over the last 12 months – 0.5 per cent less that in other sectors.
This slowdown in salary increases has also been accompanied by a rise in the working week for the average shop worker, with many now at work for 38 hours a week – 30 minutes more than a year ago.
It is expected that the forthcoming increase of the minimum wage from £5.05 to £5.35 will have some impact on the sector's pay conditions.
Sheila Attwood, editor of IRS's pay and benefits bulletin, explained: "Next month's increase in the national minimum wage will have an impact on the retail sector as some employers continue to operate their lowest rate at or just above the wage floor."
However, the majority of shop workers also receive substantial payment discounts on goods, with retailers offering reductions from 10 to 33 per cent on employee purchases.
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