Retailers in the USA are raising employees' wages in response to public activism

There is an interesting and unusual social trend going on, one that is compelling American retailers to raise the wages of their employees in response to social, and not economic, pressures. Income disparity is becoming one of the major political issues of the 21st century. While the pay of top CEOs continues to climb into the stratosphere, those at the bottom of the wage scale have been stagnating, or getting poorer. Taken to its extreme, these are ingredients for revolution. The first rumblings of such a revolt is now persuading retailers in America to raise wages voluntarily. Some of the biggest names to do so are IKEA, Ben & Jerry's, Whole Foods, Costco, and Gap. Currently, the federal minimum wage in the US is $7.25 an hour. Most companies seem to see $10 an hour as the minimum wage the working public is looking for. Offering a "living wage" as opposed to a minimum one is important to companies who see themselves as socially responsible – a still-growing trend that promotes business as good corporate citizens. And the trend isn't confined to companies. Many politicians are pushing agendas that will raise minimum wages in their cities and states. Seattle, Washington, for example recently raised its minimum to $15 an hour, phased in over several years. Expect to see many more companies raise wages as this fight has just begun.