By Richa Naidu

PARIS (Reuters) -France’s biggest retailer Carrefour has increased its offer in the third round of wage talks with unions, suggesting a 2.5% pay hike from November this year, a company spokesperson said on Thursday.

The offer would mean an overall 8.3% wage increase when compared to August 2021.

Some unions had threatened to call a strike late this week, saying the supermarket chain’s previous offer of 2% was insufficient as workers struggle with soaring inflation.

The CFDT union said on Twitter it would now discuss the offer with workers.

The offer also includes a 100 euro ($98.49) extra payment in October and a 12% discount on purchases at Carrefour made by workers, the union added.

French companies have come under pressure to do their part in helping staff maintain their purchasing power.

Large companies including Air France and Renault recently announced they would in an exceptional move raise wages or pay extra bonuses this year.

French consumer price inflation stood at 6.6% last month in EU-harmonised terms.

($1 = 1.0153 euros)

(Reporting by Richa Naidu, writing by GV De Clercq, editing by Tassilo Hummel and Susan Fenton)