The National Retail Federation issued the following statement today from President and CEO Matthew Shay on Walmart’s announcement that it will increase wages of approximately 500,000 full-time and part-time associates in April to $9.00 an hour.
The following year, by February 1, 2016, current associates will earn at least $10.00 an hour, ensuring that hourly associates earn well-above the federal minimum wage.
“Today’s announcement by Walmart regarding associate wages is just another example of the power of the marketplace. Like many other retailers, Walmart made its decision based upon what is best for their employees, their customers, their shareholders and the communities in which they operate.
“Government mandates that arbitrarily require businesses to implement politically driven policy are unnecessary and, in fact, create hurdles to job creation, curtail capital investment and pose as barriers to a sustained economic recovery.”
Source: National Retail Federation
