Walmart raises minimum US wage

London

Walmart Stores Inc's wage hike will likely trigger a rethink on pay across the retail and fast-food sectors, with Target Corp one of the low-wage employers facing pressure to follow suit and pay workers more.

Walmart announced on Thursday that it would lift its minimum US wage to US$9 an hour this year and US$10 in 2016, raising the ante in a tightening labour market where low-skilled workers easily move between retailers and fast-food chains.