Grocery retailers are bracing for increased wage pressures in 2025 due to a minimum wage hike to €13.50 and new regulations on pension auto-enrolment and sick leave benefits. Excel Recruitment’s Grocery Retail Salary Guide indicates that most stores will need to increase wages by at least 5%, affecting their ability to absorb costs. Despite these challenges, retailers are investing in fresh food offerings and enhancing customer experiences to remain competitive, according to Nikki Murran, Director of Grocery Retail at Excel Recruitment.