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LONDON, March 30 (Reuters) - Primark's 26,000 retail
assistants in Britain are to get an inflation-beating average
pay rise of 12% from April 1, the fashion retailer said on
Thursday.
Primark, part of the Associated British Foods conglomerate, said retail workers will be paid a minimum of 11
pounds ($13.59) an hour, or 11.51 pounds an hour in London.
The UK government-mandated National Living Wage will rise to
10.42 pounds an hour from April, an increase of 9.7%.
With UK inflation rising to 10.4% in February, the Bank of
England is watching pay settlements closely as it weighs any
further rises in interest rates.
Primark's UK retail director Kari Rodgers said the latest
rise "reflects our commitment to continue to invest in our
people and our stores as we continue to grow.”
The retailer plans to invest 140 million pounds in the
UK high street over the next two years, including the opening of
at least four new stores.
Last month, AB Foods
raised its financial guidance
for full year 2022-23, saying consumer spending had proven
to be more resilient than it expected.
Food retailers
Tesco ,
Asda
and
Marks & Spencer have also all recently announced staff pay rises.
($1 = 0.8093 pounds)
(Reporting by James Davey; editing by William James)
