Ellwood Thompson's announces wage increase

Richmond, Va.-based natural grocer Ellwood Thompson’s said it would raise its minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, effective today.

“We want our 130 employees to feel we make an investment in their future at ET, with continuous learning and development,” the company said in a release. “We are particularly proud to say that both of our store managers and 2/3 of our department managers and assistant department managers started with ET as hourly employees and were nurtured to the positions they have now."

The company said it would not be raising prices of goods to pay for the wage increase.

A number of food retailers including Walmart, Target and Ahold’s Giant-Carlisle have announced wage increases this year.

“Ellwood’s employees are the heart and soul of this small, local business and we want to offer them a higher quality of life. We want our employees to be able to better support their families and call Ellwood’s their home,” the company added.