British co-operative Co-op’s frontline store employees have agreed to a hourly pay rise to a minimum of £12.60 ($16.27), aligning with the organisation’s ongoing pledge to pay staff the country’s Real Living Wage.
The development comes after a vote conducted among members of the Union of Shop Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw).
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The new wage agreement represent a 27% raise in pay since 2022 – an additional £1,200 annually for full-time customer team members. Co-op’s compensation package also features an industry-leading 30% discount on own-brand products for its staff.
Co-op operations director Kate McCrae said: “Our store colleagues are at the very heart of the business and we are pleased to be able to provide a reward package that is competitive, above inflation and impactful. This deal reaffirms our ongoing commitment to the Real Living Wage, and ensures Co-op is among the highest food retailers in terms of pay.
“We are a growing business, focused on delivering convenience and value for our colleagues, members, customers and communities. We truly value the dedication and hard work of our store teams, and recognise their commitment to bringing to life our co-operative difference in towns, villages and cities all across the UK.”
The salary for Co-op customer team members will rise in two stages: from £12.00 to £12.30 per hour from 1 April 2025, followed by an additional hike to £12.60 by 1 August – a total increase of 5%.
Including paid breaks, this equates to £13.46 per hour for full-timers.
For team leaders, wages increase to £13.65 starting 1 April 2025 from £13.32. This will further increase to £13.99 by 1 August.
For those working in London, the hourly rate for customer team members will rise from £13.15 to £13.85 by 1 August 2025.
London-based team leaders will earn an increase from £14.47 to £15.24.
The retailer is continuing to offer comprehensive benefits and support for staff welfare. This includes paid breaks during shifts, annual holiday time ranging from 31 to 38 days for customer team members, and maternity and paternity leave in excess of legal requirements.
Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis said: “Usdaw has a longstanding and valued relationship with the Co-op and we welcome that the staff pay increase is in line with Real Living Wage rates. Our members are key workers in a business that delivers an essential service in our communities and it is only right they are fairly rewarded with a living wage.”
In February 2025, Co-op acknowledged a total of 107 instances in which it failed to adhere to the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010.
