Health and wellbeing business Holland and Barrett has increased pay for its retail staff by 9%, with the rate rising from £10.05 to £11 an hour.
With this increase, the hourly rate for store employees will have increased by 15% over the past year.
Holland and Barrett, which employs more than 5,000 members of staff in the UK, also awarded distribution staff with a 7% pay increase, from £10.71 to £11.46 an hour.
Anthony Houghton, chief operating officer for the UK and Republic of Ireland at Holland and Barrett, said: “We’ve been helping customers improve their health and wellness for more than 150 years, and our staff are at the heart of how we do this, offering products, services information and advice to support the wellness of their customers in communities across the UK.
“We know our wellness starts with theirs, so we’re delighted to be able to increase pay again for our hourly paid employees.”
In addition to pay, Holland and Barrett staff can access a 25% discount on the retailer’s products, and free online delivery. In addition, it offers life assurance for all staff, access to healthcare, free 24/7 confidential employee assistance programme (EAP), flexible holidays, access to gyms and wellbeing services, free folic acid for expecting parents, and a cycle-to-work scheme.
The employer follows in the footsteps of other businesses who have awarded their workforce with pay rises in the continuing cost-of-living crisis, including Currys, Pret A Manger and Costa.