Retail sector begins collective wage talks amid profit gains and falling real wages
Collective bargaining for retail employees and apprentices starts in Vienna, with unions demanding that recent inflation be fully compensated.
On Thursday morning, GPA union officials presented their salary proposals to employer representatives of the Wirtschaftskammer in Vienna's fourth district, launching the collective bargaining round for retail staff and apprentices. The union insists that the past twelve months' inflation be fully reflected in the new contract, noting that earlier deals resulted in a loss of purchasing power. Retail profits rose by 7.8% in 2025, generating roughly €1 billion in profit distributions, though a larger portion now flows to owners.
One outlet statutory minimum wage in sales is €2,251 gross monthly, while the average full-time wage is €2,586 gross (€1,949 net) based on a 38.5-hour week; part-time workers on a 25-hour schedule earn about €1,237 net. Women make up more than half of the workforce, and part-time employment is especially common. Meanwhile, other sectors such as metalworking, rail, IT and telecommunications are already in their autumn wage rounds, with metal industry wages set to rise modestly later this year.
Why it matters
Retail wages affect millions of workers and reflect broader economic pressures on purchasing power.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage frames the talks as a difficult struggle for workers demanding higher pay, highlighting the large number of employees, the share of women and part-time staff, and the public spotlight on retailers; Right-leaning coverage frames the talks around the union’s demand to match inflation and the sector’s strong profit growth, noting how profits are distributed to owners and providing detailed wage figures.
LEFT
The story is presented as a hard-fought push for better wages by a largely female, part-time workforce awaiting raises.
RIGHT
The story is presented as a negotiation over inflation-linked wages set against notable profit gains that now benefit owners.
The left emphasises
- 420,000 employees in retail awaiting new salaries
- 62 % of them are women and more than half work part-time
- the first bargaining round puts retailers in the public focus
The right emphasises
- the union insists past year’s inflation be fully reflected in the contract
- retail profits rose 7.8% in 2025, generating about €1 billion
- a larger portion of profits now flows to owners
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