lululemon hiring 8,000 Workers, Raising Wages
lululemon athletica is instituting pay hikes for the majority of its employees as part of a push to boost its workforce ahead of the holiday season. Starting Friday, the high-end athletic apparel company will raise its minimum base pay for the majority of its store and Guest Education Centre employees across North America to $15 or $17 per hour, the Vancouver-based company said. The wage increase will depend upon the employee's role and store location, according to the company. It will apply to both current employees and new hires.
Total Retail's Take: Heading into the busy holiday season and amid a tight labor market, lululemon is preparing itself for the competition for workers by raising wages. This is a tactic that a number of retailers are implementing, including Walmart, Target, Hobby Lobby, Under Armour, Costco, among others. It will be interesting to see which retailers are most successful in attracting seasonal and full-time workers as they seek to bolster their stores and warehouses for what's forecast to be a busy holiday shopping season. Furthermore, lululemon prides itself on the guest experience it offers at its stores, and that requires an engaged and motivated staff. One of the best ways to do that is to compensate them well.
