Morrisons is investing £30m in providing discounted coffee, free Wi-Fi and more comfortable rest areas for store employees as part of its efforts to create a happier shopping experience for customers and staff.
The supermarket, which said last year it would increase pay for store staff by 20%, is to introduce separate areas alongside dining rooms where workers can relax and charge their mobile phones.
David Potts, chief executive of Morrisons, said the changes were being introduced in response to a company-wide consultation about how to improve stores for staff and customers. About 100 staff areas will be revamped this year and all stores will be covered within four years.
The move comes as Morrisons’ rival Asda considers scrapping free tea and toast for its employees, and staff canteens, in an attempt to cut costs. The closure of the canteens and withdrawal of in-store services such as pizza making is part of plans to cut up to 1,000 jobs in stores. The supermarket is consulting with about 5,000 in-store staff about changes to their roles, or potential redundancy, and is also cutting about 200 head office jobs.
Potts has previously said staff have a key role to play in the revival of Morrisons, which is battling to turn around a fall in sales amid heavy competition from the fast-growing discounters Aldi and Lidl as well as bigger rivals such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
Potts said: “We asked our staff for their views about their stores and many commented about their restrooms saying they would like them to be more relaxing and offer a better food service. This investment will ensure they are provided with the facilities and food to help them recharge during their breaks.”
Next month, Morrisons is to increase pay for 90,000 shop floor staff to £8.20 an hour. That is above the £7.20 “national living wage” announced by George Osborne in the July budget last year and just below the £8.25 living wage calculated by independent campaigners.
Retailers have brought in a wave of wage rises ahead of the national living wage, and also increased publicity about the cost to the taxpayer in working tax credits to support those on low wages. Aldi and Lidl have also publicised the higher than average hourly wages they pay.
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