The Halkiadakis supermarket chain is expanding its package of pay raises and additional benefits, which has managed to increase its workforce at a time when the market continues to face difficulties in finding staff, especially in tourist destinations.
In the case of the Cretan chain, the number of employees increased by 5.4% in the first four months, while over the past decade it has risen by 71%.
As for this year’s new benefits package, it includes pay raises of up to 5%, special support for employees earning the minimum wage, as well as an expanded range of social benefits for families, parents, long-serving employees, and those pursuing academic advancement.
At the core of the package are targeted salary adjustments by employee category. Specifically, starting in January 2026, raises were implemented for specialized employees, followed by store managers in February. Starting in April, a 4.54% increase took effect for those earning the minimum wage, and increases of up to 5% for employees covered by the Commercial Enterprises Agreement.
For employees with gross monthly earnings up to €1,270, the 5% increase in gross monthly earnings is incorporated directly into their salary, while for those exceeding this threshold, the increase is provided through points on the company shopping card. In addition, new pay increases were implemented in May for staff at the Distribution Center and administrative services.
Beyond the salary component, the company is expanding benefits for its staff. Among other things, a monthly allowance of 50 euros is provided for married employees earning the minimum wage, a corresponding allowance for employees with three or more children, as well as 100 euros per month for employees who have a child with a disability. In addition, an extra €100 is provided to each employee during the Easter and Christmas periods.
The package also includes a one-time payment of 300 euros for completing 30 or 40 years of service with the company, 300 euros as a wedding gift, €500 for the birth of each child, financial assistance of €300 to €500 for obtaining an undergraduate or graduate degree, as well as €800 in cases of the loss of a spouse or child. The benefits are provided via the company shopping card.
Since October 2025, the company has implemented a group life and health insurance program for all its employees starting from their first month of employment, with an annual cost exceeding 200,000 euros. At the same time, since February 2025, it has been working with a specialized health and safety consultant to implement modern occupational safety standards.