Retailers are raising wages and offering bonuses as they seek to deal with nationwide driver shortages, with Marks & Spencer the latest to do so.
M&S is offering HGV drivers a £2,000 sign-on bonus which is part of a wider £5,000 incentive package that includes additional retention payments. It follows the revelation that Tesco is offering a £1,000 sign-on bonus for drivers who can start work before the end of September. Meanwhile Aldi has reportedly increased its lorry driver wage rates.
It comes following increasing concerns about the shortage of HGV and other delivery drivers as the pandemic and Brexit have taken their toll. The government also announced changes last month designed to provide extra support and encourage more drivers to get behind the wheel. These include easier driver qualification requirements and improving working conditions.
The logistics industry is facing a shortage of around 100,000 HGV drivers and has warned of the prospect of empty shelves with many wholesale suppliers already affected by the lack of drivers.
