Lush unveils pay rise for staff as inflation soars

The pay rise takes effect from this month, bringing hourly pay to £10.90 in the UK and £11.95 in London for all retail employees aged 18 and over.

Lush finance director Kim Coles said: “Lush staff making and selling our products are crucial to our success and we continue to commit to the rate to ensure that, as the cost of living continues to rise, we can be confident that our rates of pay are fair and that our staff can afford what they need to thrive, not just to survive.”  

Several retailers across categories, including as Aldi, Currys, Superdrug and others, have increased hourly pay for staff to support them as interest rates and prices rise.

A recent Retail Week ranking of shopfloor pay at the UK’s 25 biggest retailers found discounter Aldi paid the most per hour at £11.40 across the UK and £12.85 per hour within the M25.

A sales assistant at Lush added: “I have worked for Lush and earned the real living wage for almost six years, since the age of 16. The extra income has allowed me to afford things that others my age have struggled to, including buying a car and moving out of my parents’ house. Earning the real living wage has also allowed me to go to university and live comfortably while training to be a paramedic. It’s vital that people are paid in line with the cost of living so that they can live comfortably without worries.”