Hobby Lobby raises minimum wage to $17 per hour
FILE – In this Monday, June 30, 2014, file photo, customers walk to a Hobby Lobby store in Oklahoma City. A Hobby Lobby spokesman told The Associated Press on May 10, 2017, that a report stating the company was considering going out of business is not true. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (NewsNation Now) — Hobby Lobby announced it’s bumping up its minimum wage for full-time hourly employees.
The arts and crafts retailer announced Monday the new full-time hourly wage will be set at $17 per hour starting Oct. 1. The new rate is more than double the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
“We have always worked hard to be a retail leader when it comes to taking care of our people,” said Hobby Lobby founder and CEO David Green in a statement. “From closing our stores on Sundays and at 8 p.m. the rest of the week, to providing some of the best pay and benefits in the retail industry, we are thankful that we are able to share our success with our valued employees and provide time for rest, family and worship. These investments allow Hobby Lobby to attract and retain a great group of associates who in turn help provide the wonderfully unique shopping experience enjoyed by our many loyal customers.”
Green also acknowledged how this year has presented “so many challenges” to its employees and is happy the company is able to provide the hourly wage increase to thousands of employees before the Christmas season.
Founded in 1972, Hobby Lobby has raised its minimum wage rate ten times in the last 11 years. In 2009, it became one of the first retailers to establish a nationwide minimum hourly wage well above the federal minimum wage.
There are currently 920 Hobby Lobby stores throughout the country.
NewsNation affiliate WCMH contributed to this report.
