The statewide increase in the minimum wage from $12 to $13.50 an hour in January is likely to reduce some retail hours and increase prices, according to a report in the Vancouver Columbian.
Voter approval of Initiative 1433 in 2016 resulted in the wage hike including paid sick leave requirements.
Small business owners told The Columbian that they would adjust by scaling back hours or increasing prices because suppliers also pass on their higher wage requirements to retailers.
A pizza shop owner noted that higher minimum wages also create pressure to raise wages for experienced employees because higher minimum wages close the wage gap with more experienced workers.
