Specialist wine retailer Majestic has raised the hourly pay of its retail employees to at least £10.60 as of this month, and introduced an incremental pay structure.
Store staff received an average salary increase of 6.7% for 2023/24 as a result of the new hourly base rate and pay structure. They were also given an additional £250 bonus in thanks for their efforts over the past 12 months, as well as uncapped bonuses based on performance against sales targets.
The incremental pay structure was introduced to reward staff based on their wine and spirit Education Trust (WSET) qualification level, their experience and tenure, and the size of the shop that store managers and assistant managers run. As a result, experienced store managers with strong performing shops who are qualified to WSET Diploma level can earn as much as £11,700 more per year in addition to their base salaries.
Majestic’s board members decided not to take a pay rise themselves this year, instead using the money to fund salary increases for staff at its support centre in Watford and distribution centre in Hemel Hempstead. Those on lower salaries were awarded larger increases in pay, with eligible staff earning £30,000 or less benefitting the most.
John Colley, chief executive officer at Majestic, said: “We are aware that it has been an increasingly challenging 12 months for our staff, with the rising cost of living impacting all of us and the cost base of the Majestic business. These have been key considerations for the board over the last few months as we looked at the best way to reward our employees for their ongoing dedication and hard work.
“The restructuring of the pay, reward and recognition structure in our retail business marks the biggest investment we have ever made in store staff since the business was founded. The pay structure will not only help our people through current cost-of-living pressures, but also creates a scheme that gives them the opportunity to earn more, learn more and progress their careers at Majestic.”
Other benefits provided by Majestic include the chance to win incentive trips to wineries around the world. Around a quarter of retail employees will go on trips this year to California, Australia, Chile and Mexico.