MILAN – Coca-Cola owned Costa Coffee announced on Monday it will raise wages of its British store staff for the third time in a year. The coffee chain said that more than 16,000 workers of its 1,520 company-owned stores, will get a rise of between 6.1% and 7.3% from April 1.
According to Reuters, Pay rates for baristas are set to increase from 10 pounds ($12.04) an hour to at least 10.70 pounds an hour, whilst more experienced “Barista Maestros” will see an uplift from 10.53 pounds to at least 11.23 pounds per hour, depending on location and role.
Costa Coffee said it also provides workers with a store performance related bonus, free drinks while on shift and a 50% staff discount.
The company stated that this latest rise takes the increase over the last 12 months to over 14%.
UK inflation was 10.1% in January. The Bank of England is watching pay settlements closely as it weighs further rises in interest rates.
Costa Coffee said it wanted to support its workforce in “uncertain times”. Analysts pointed out this move also reflects a persistent tightness in the labour market.
Data last month showed that despite being on the brink of recession, the UK’s jobless rate held close to five-decade lows and employment grew.
British sandwich shop franchise chain Pret A Manger – owned by Luxembourg-based financial behemoth JAB Holding Company – also announced a further pay rise for its staff last week.
