John Lewis Partnership unveils inflation-busting pay rise

The Partnership, which owns grocer Waitrose as well as John Lewis department stores, is investing £114m increase in higher annual pay, bringing the increase over the last two years to £230m.

The rate of pay for shopfloor staff will go up by 7.4% this year. Those ”who make an exceptional contribution to the Partnership” will receive an additional 2%.

99.3% of all partners will receive a pay increase

From April 1, the minimum rate of pay for partners outside London will increase from £11.55 to £12.40 per hour, and from £12.89 to £13.85 for those inside the M25. 

Pay will rise to £13.39 per hour for those ”who gain enhanced skills and take on specialist roles in our shops”, or £14.96 inside the M25.

Retailers across the board have been increasing pay steeply, despite higher costs of employment following last year’s Budget.

John Lewis Partnership interim executive director, people, Jo Rackham, said: “Our partners are co-owners of our business and their service to our customers is what sets us apart, so we have chosen to make another very significant investment in partner pay this year.  

“This signals our continued commitment to our partners’ pay, taking our total investment over the last three years to £295m.”