Started at 11.50 and a year later still at 11.50. I work in an area I have 25 yrs of experience yet I started at 11.50. There is staff in my store alone that I consider experts in their area and yet are making 12-15 an hour! I have no idea how any of the full time staff survive, even managers at the pay levels given. Even with discount most employees can't really afford the products they sell.
If you don't make it easier to get time off your employees won't be the experts much longer, telling staff they need to find their replacement is not the way to keep staff.