Primark increases pay for retail staff in the UK

Fast-fashion retailer Primark is increasing the hourly pay for 27,000 retail workers in the UK from April 1.

In a statement, Primark said that its retail staff across England, Scotland and Wales will benefit from an average pay increase of 9.1 percent from next month.

All retail assistants will see their hourly pay nationally increase to 12 pounds from 11 pounds, and in London, this rate will increase to 12.56 pounds, up from 11.51 pounds in 2023. This means that over the last two years, on average, a Primark retail worker has seen their hourly rate increase by more than 20 percent.

Kari Rodgers, UK retail director at Primark, said: “Our colleagues do a brilliant job every day serving our customers and we want everyone to be fairly rewarded and recognised for their hard work. We hope this pay increase goes some way towards demonstrating our continued thanks for all that they do in our stores and for our customers.”

The rate increases apply to hourly-paid retail assistants, following news that last year the retailer was to scrap age-related pay rates for under 23s.

In addition to the new changes to hourly rates, Primark workers will also continue to benefit from a 15 percent year-round colleague discount alongside a range of other benefits.

Primark continues to invest in workers' pay and the British high street

This follows the news in February that the retailer will invest over 100 million pounds in its UK stores this year, as it marks 50 years of Primark on the British high street.

The move will see the opening of three new stores before the end of the year, beginning with its latest opening in Bury St Edmunds with Teesside Park and Glasgow Fort due to follow later this year, as well as two significant store extensions in Westfield Stratford, London, and the Metrocentre in Gateshead, Tyneside, and a further 16 store refurbishments planned as part of its ongoing refit programme.

As part of these changes, Primark will create more than 700 new jobs in 2024. In addition, Primark has confirmed it will add new locations in Epsom and Newbury in 2025.