PAY AND BENEFITS - Survey - More tough times for retail as consumer confidence wanes - Retail pay settlements have responded to a fragile trading climate, dropping to a median 2.5% after a stubborn three-year reign at 3%. The forthcoming hike in the national minimum wage, by 6%, will have some influence on later pay deals, while a 10% increase in the youth minimum rate signals the start of higher uplifts for young people