In the retail sector, rates for retail assistants have seen a rapid increase over the last 12-month period with the median minimum established rate increasing by some 8% to £10.50. Minimum rates are highest in food retail where the median is currently £11.02 an hour, compared to £10.55 in non-food retail and £10.42 (equal to the 2023 legal floor) in retail catering. The data, taken from IDR’s annual retail survey, suggests that over three-fifths (62%) of retailers have a minimum hourly rate for retail assistants that is higher than the National Living Wage (NLW). However, in 2024 the NLW is set to increase by 9.8% from £10.42 to £11.44.
