Sainsbury's announces exactly when it will increase staff pay in 2025

Sainsbury's is set for a staff pay boost this year, following a period of notable Christmas success. The retail giant has confirmed it will split a 5% wage increase for its hourly-paid employees across two increments in March and August to "allow us to navigate a challenging cost environment".

This news comes alongside Sainsbury’s reporting its "biggest-ever Christmas", with total sales surging by 3.7% during the 16 weeks leading up to 4 January, and 3.8% over the festive six weeks ending on the same date. Grocery turnover climbed 4.1% throughout the quarter and experienced a 3.8% lift over Christmas, with volume sales standing 6% above those recorded two years previously.

While general merchandise revenues at Sainsbury's dipped slightly by 0.1% quarter-on-quarter, they saw a 3.4% upturn during the holiday season. Black Friday and Christmas promotions were credited for bolstering Argos sales, which saw a modest rise of 1.1% over the six weeks, despite a 1.4% third-quarter slip.

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Looking ahead, the supermarket chain - hailed as one of the Christmas victors by market analyst Kantar - anticipates a full-year profit hitting the central point of its £1.01bn to £1.06bn forecasted range, hinting at about a 7% year-on-year growth. Simon Roberts, the CEO of Sainsbury's, highlighted that more than half of the store's substantial Christmas baskets included a Taste the Difference item, contributing to a robust 16% revenue boost for the premium line.

Furthermore, Sainsbury's witnessed an unprecedented number of customers utilising Nectar Prices, culminating in savings averaging £26 per shop, thanks to the scheme extending to upwards of 9,000 products in the lead-up to Christmas.

Roberts stated: "We have won grocery market share for the fifth consecutive Christmas, with more customers choosing Sainsbury’s for their big shop."

He highlighted the retail giant's success, saying, "Driven by our leading combination of quality, value and service, we have achieved seven consecutive quarters of volume performance ahead of the market and further accelerated our two-year volume growth."

He also asserted, "The strength of our customer service and operational performance stood us apart in delivering our biggest ever Christmas."

Roberts also noted the seasonal shopping trend, "Customers shopped later than ever and we achieved our highest ever sales in the final days before Christmas."

"We have won grocery market share for the fifth consecutive Christmas, with more customers choosing Sainsbury’s for their big shop."

"Driven by our leading combination of quality, value and service, we have achieved seven consecutive quarters of volume performance ahead of the market and further accelerated our two-year volume growth."

"The strength of our customer service and operational performance stood us apart in delivering our biggest ever Christmas."

"Customers shopped later than ever and we achieved our highest ever sales in the final days before Christmas."

"We have won grocery market share for the fifth consecutive Christmas, with more customers choosing Sainsbury’s for their big shop."

"Driven by our leading combination of quality, value and service, we have achieved seven consecutive quarters of volume performance ahead of the market and further accelerated our two-year volume growth."

"The strength of our customer service and operational performance stood us apart in delivering our biggest ever Christmas."

"Customers shopped later than ever and we achieved our highest ever sales in the final days before Christmas."