Co-op awards store colleagues a 5% pay increase

Co-op store colleagues will see their hourly rates increase to at least £12.60 during 2025, in line with the retailer’s long-standing commitment to the Real Living Wage.

The pay award represents an annualised increase of £1200 for a full-time customer team member and an almost 27% uplift in hourly rates since 2022.

The rate of pay for Co-op customer team members will increase in two steps, which is above inflation and rises from £12.00 to £12.30 per hour from 1 April, plus a further increase to £12.60 from 1 August 2025 – representing an overall increase in the hourly rate of pay of 5%.

Team leaders see pay increase from £13.32 to £13.65 on 1 April, and a further increase to £13.99 from 1 August (2025).

For those in London, Co-op customer team members will see their hourly rate of pay increase from £13.15 to £13.85 from 1 August 2025 and team leaders will receive an increase from £14.47 to £15.24.

The convenience store chain said its above inflation pay award had been accepted following a ballot of colleague Usdaw union members.

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.”

This latest increase comes amid a wave of pay rises across the retail sector. M&S is set to raise pay for over 50,000 staff, with customer assistants’ hourly rates increasing to £12.60, while B&Q’s minimum hourly pay is rising to £12.71, with up to £14.05 for London-based staff.

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