Jeff Bezos challenges retail rivals to raise minimum wage to $16 an hour

Amazon.com Inc in October pledged to pay all of its warehouse workers at least $15 an hour

Amazon.com Inc Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos is daring rival retailers to raise their minimum wage to $16 an hour.

Bezos laid down the challenge in his annual shareholder letter, published Thursday. Bezos routinely uses the letter to outline his long-term strategy, which made him the world’s wealthiest man and Amazon one of the most valuable companies.

"Today I challenge our top retail competitors (you know who you are!) to match our employee benefits and our $15 minimum wage," Bezos said. "Do it! Better yet, go to $16 and throw the gauntlet back at us. It’s a kind of competition that will