Sales assistants and check-out operators
Workers in the retail sector have traditionally worked long hours for low pay. This factsheet sets out any relevant industry agreements and examples of company pay rates which workers can use to check that they’re getting the ‘going rate’ for their job and as evidence to assist in negotiating a better pay deal. See our Get a better deal leaflet for more tips.
The National Minimum Wage is the absolute minimum rate at which any worker (aged 18 and over) can be paid. Pay above this remains a matter of negotiation between the employer and worker, union or works council. Click here for the current rates.
Average Wages
According to the government’s New Earnings Survey for 2001 (latest figures available), the average earnings for sales assistants and check-out operators are as follows:
| annually | hourly |
| Sales assistants |
£11,591 | £5.80 |
| Retail cash-desk and check-out operators |
£19,787 | £5.10 |
NB. annual rates include overtime and bonus payments, hourly rates do not.
Industry Agreements
An industry agreement is a voluntary agreement negotiated between employers and unions, and employers who are part of the agreement are 'honour bound' to pay at least these minimum rates. Most industry agreements which covered workers in the retail sector (eg. footwear)have been overtaken by rates set by the National Minimum Wage and are no longer effective.
Sales assistants working in the dairy industry or motor trade, or the NHS, are covered by agreements.
NHS Ancillary Staff
From 1.4.01. For: 39 hr week | | |
| Min | Max |
| Scale B: assisting in hospital shop |
£163.66 | £169.58 |
Holidays: 20 days, 25 after 10 years
London allowances: London zone-£36.12 p/wk; fringe-£4.57p/wk | | |
Motor Trade JNC
From 1.1.01. For: 39 hr week | | |
| Petrol forecourt staff |
£148.59-£160.29 | |
Holidays: 22 days
Allowances: doubleshift- plus 15%; nightshift- plus 33% | | |
Dairy Industry NJNC
From 1.4.00. For: 39 hr week | | |
| Retail worker |
£161.35 | |
| Retail rounds salesperson |
£173.38 | |
Holidays: 24 days
Allowances: London- %#163;23.11pw | | |
Company Rates
These are examples of rates paid:
CHECK-OUT OPERATORS
Asda
From: 1.4.01. For: 38 hr week | | |
Wage:
Provinces
Mid-zone
London |
£4.51phr
£4.82phr
£5.13phr | |
| Holidays: 20 days, 23 after 5 years | | |
Sainsbury, J
From: 1.4.01. For: 39 hr week | | |
Wage:
(Start)
(Competent)
(Max) |
£4.40phr
£4.70phr
£5.71phr | |
Holidays: 22 days, 25 after 5 years
Extras: selected store premium-plus 58p phr | | |
Retail Co-operative Societies
From 2.5.01. For: 39 hr week | | |
| Wage: |
£171.86pw | |
| Holidays: 21 days, 25 after 5 years | | |
SALES ASSISTANTS
Asda
From: 1.4.01. For: 38 hr week | | |
Wage:
Provinces
Mid-zone
London |
£4.51phr
£4.82phr
£5.13phr | |
| Holidays: 20 days, 23 after 5 years | | |
Next Retail
From 1.2.01. For: 39 hr week | | |
Wage: (4 zones)
1 (provinces)
2 (large town)
3 (outer London/SE)
4 (central London) |
£4.08-£4.83phr
£4.27-£5.02phr
£4.67-£5.53phr
£5.31-£5.96phr | |
Holidays: 20 days, 24 after 5 years
| | |
Marks & Spencer
From 1.7.01. For: 37.5 hr week | | |
Wage: (3 grades)
Provinces
Outer London
Inner London
Oxford Street |
£4.59-£7.48phr
£5.05-£7.94phr
£5.36-£8.25
£6.14-£9.03 | |
Holidays: 23 days, 25 after 5 years
Extras: profit-related bonus | | |
Your rights
Once pay rates have been agreed, they form part of the worker's terms and conditions and you have the right to be paid the agreed rate. Employers cannot change any term of a contract without the worker's agreement. See our leaflet on terms and conditions
Low Pay Unit, Jan 2002
Please note that some information contained in this sheet is from the IDS Pay Benchmark Directory, November 2001 (Incomes Data Services (www.incomesdata.co.uk))
