The company famous for rolling things back is pushing wages up.
Driving the news: Walmart Canada announced it’s putting $92 million towards increasing hourly wages for supply chain workers and retail associates. It’s the second time this year the retailer has boosted wages, committing $53 million back in July.
- The wage increases earlier this summer ranged from $0.30 to $1.00 per-hour bumps, a Walmart Canada head told HRReporter, which isn’t huge, but hey, it’s something.
Big picture: Higher wages are one part of the company’s strategy to retain workers and cut down on turnover. The company has also rolled out initiatives to make in-store positions feel less like thankless dead-end gigs and more like careers with advancement possibilities.
- Last year, the company invested $50 million over five years to bring its Live Better U program to Canada. The program offers and pays for a selection of courses for employees that are “curated based on the new and future needs of the business.”
Why it matters: With over 100,000 total employees including some 40,000 in-store workers, Walmart is one of Canada’s largest employers. Decisions the company makes are influential in the broader retail space and could inspire similar hiring practices at other stores.—QH