Minimum wage hikes to put added cost pressure on grocery retailers 

New report from Excel Recruitment warned that increases to minimum wage will cause a ripple effect, pushing most stores to increase pay by at least 5%

New regulations on pension auto-enrolment and extended sick leave benefits will add further pressure, the salary guide warns, making it difficult for retailers to absorb added costs. 

Ireland's grocery sector will enter the new year with a mix of challenges, marked by significant wage increases and rising labour costs, Excel Recruitment has warned. 

Releasing its Grocery Retail Salary Guide 2025, the recruitment agency warned that while the increase in the minimum wage to €13.50 from January will help protect workers, the pay rise will create a ripple effect on overall wages, pushing most stores to increase pay by at least 5%.