Forward to a colleague View as a webpage Add us to your white list Quick Links »   Pay trends   Retail pay   Pay awards   News and advice   Statistics and reference   Blogs Pay trends Pay trends July 2011 The median basic pay rise remains at 2%, but the pay settlement pattern is being heavily influenced by little or no pay rises in the public and not-for-profit sectors. While many private sector employers are unable to match the high retail prices index inflation levels, there are signs that some sectors are faring better than others. Inflation and earnings forecasts Our forecasts page is updated every month and provides an up-to-date look at the likely bargaining conditions for pay setters over the coming months. Top Retail pay Retail sector pay: median rises to 2.2% but challenges remain For the second consecutive year, the median pay award in the retail industry mirrors the national minimum wage uplift. With weakening consumer confidence and a fragile economy hitting non-food stores, employers are starting to question the sector's ability to cope with continued minimum wage increases. Top Pay awards › Pay review update › XpertHR indicators: pay awards Top News and advice from XpertHR › XpertHR salary survey of computer staff › CAC reports significant decrease in number of applications for trade union recognition › Defined-benefit pension schemes to allow earlier access › Pension schemes value high-quality admin above cost savings Top Statistics and reference › XpertHR pay trends homepage › Economic indicators › Call for evidence on integration of income tax and national insurance › Calculators on XpertHR Top From our blogs › Public sector pensions reform: scheme-level discussions to start › Numbers forced into part-time work hit record high in 2011 › Computer staff pay heading upwards once more › Inflation falls back, but remains well ahead of pay awards Top Editor's message RETAIL SECTOR PAY The disparity between inflation levels and pay awards continues, according to our analysis of pay trends in the second quarter of 2011. With the median pay award of 2% set against retail prices index inflation of 5%, employees are still experiencing a real-terms cut in pay. Our latest round-up examines the headline findings on pay settlements, as well as taking a closer look at pay freezes, the spread of pay awards and the relationship between pay awards and inflation. The story of pay settlements in the retail sector is a mixed one. While the median pay award stands at 2.2%, this is due to many employers being obliged to increase their lowest pay rates by this amount in order to comply with the national minimum wage uplift. Apart from at the lowest pay levels, many employees have seen their pay frozen for the past year. Recent surveys have shown a slowdown in consumer confidence and spending. Coupled with the 2.5% increase in the national minimum wage from October 2011, employers in the retail sector are predicting a tough year ahead. Recruitment is likely to be sparse, and pay rises subdued, outside the minimum wage increases. Sheila Attwood Pay and benefits editor, XpertHR Get more out of XpertHR › Model policies › Good practice guides › Line manager briefings › Salary surveys Tools for subscribers › My XpertHR › User guide › Advanced search › XpertHR feeds Customer services › Password reminder › Email the helpdesk or call 0845 671 1110 › Read previous newsletters Forward to a colleague xperthr.co.uk This email has been sent to luke.smith@rbi.co.uk Unsubscribe from future pay and benefits emails. Disclaimer This message is intended only for the use of the person(s) ("Intended Recipient") to whom it is addressed. It may contain information, which is privileged and confidential. Accordingly any dissemination, distribution, copying or other use of this message or any of its content by any person other than the Intended Recipient may constitute a breach of civil or criminal law and is strictly prohibited. If you are not the Intended Recipient, please contact the sender as soon as possible. © Reed Business Information Ltd +44 (0)20 8652 3500 | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy Registered Office: Reed Business, Quadrant House, 9th Floor, The Quadrant, Sutton, SM2 5AS. Registered in England & Wales: 151537