Aldi, the UK's fourth-largest supermarket, has confirmed a significant pay increase for its store staff, reinforcing its commitment to being the best-paying grocer in the sector.
Details of the Pay Increase
The budget retailer will implement the rise from 1st March 2026, just ahead of the uplift in the national minimum wage in April. For store assistants outside London, the starting rate will climb by 33p, moving from £13.02 to £13.35 per hour.
When the government's national minimum wage increases to £12.71 in April, Aldi's entry-level staff will be earning 64p more per hour than the statutory rate. Employees working within the M25 will see an even larger jump, with their hourly pay rising by 36p from £14.35 to £14.71.
A £36 Million Investment in Colleagues
The supermarket chain stated it is investing a total of £36 million in pay and enhanced benefits for its workforce. This substantial investment follows a strong Christmas trading period where Aldi reported sales of £1.65 billion.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, emphasised the value placed on staff. "Our colleagues are at the heart of everything we do," he said. "Their hard work and dedication is what allows us to offer customers the quality, value and service they expect from Aldi. That’s why we’re making such a significant investment in our promise to never be beaten on pay."
Enhanced Benefits and Future Growth
Beyond the hourly rate increase, the package includes extending maternity pay to 26 weeks at full pay. Apprentices in stores will also benefit, with their pay rising to £12.02 per hour.
With length of service, store assistants can earn up to £14.30 per hour nationally and £15.03 in and around London. Aldi remains the only UK supermarket to offer paid breaks to all in-store staff, a benefit it estimates is worth up to £1,470 annually per employee.
The German-owned grocer, which employs over 45,000 people across roughly 1,060 UK stores, continues to expand aggressively. It plans to open 80 new stores within the next two years, further cementing its growing presence in the British retail landscape.
