Aldi is poised to become the first UK supermarket to guarantee a minimum hourly wage of £13.00 for its store assistants nationwide from 1 September 2025. This move underscores the discounter’s ongoing commitment to leading the grocery sector in colleague pay and reflects its pledge to “never be beaten on pay.” The hourly rate within the M25 will rise even higher, reaching £14.33, with increments based on length of service pushing these figures to £13.93 and £14.64 respectively.

This new base rate notably surpasses the Real Living Wage of £12.60, as set by the Living Wage Foundation in October 2024, and solidifies Aldi’s position as the UK's highest-paying supermarket for minimum hourly pay among store colleagues. Aldi also remains unique among major grocers for offering paid breaks to all store staff, which the company estimates is worth around £1,385 annually to an average worker.

Giles Hurley, CEO of Aldi UK and Ireland, highlighted the importance of the workforce in the company’s success, stating, “Our people are the driving force behind our success across the UK. This latest investment in pay is a reflection of their hard work and the incredible contribution they make every single day.” He added that Aldi is proud to maintain its standing as the top-paying supermarket and will continue supporting its colleagues comprehensively.

The increase continues a series of annual pay rises. Earlier in 2025, Aldi raised its minimum wage to £12.75 nationally and £14.05 within the M25 from March, with enhanced rates reflecting employee tenure up to £13.66 and £14.35 respectively. This followed a pattern of pay adjustments that have consistently stayed ahead of the national minimum wage and inflationary pressures within the sector. Industry data also shows that rival Lidl GB raised its hourly pay for store workers by at least 2.8% in March 2025, with entry-level pay starting at £12.75 nationally and £14 in London, aiming to remain competitive amid tight retail labour markets.

Aldi’s refreshed pay structure is designed not only to attract but also to retain staff in an industry facing significant recruitment and retention challenges. The company has shown a consistent strategy of investing in employee welfare, combining competitive salaries with benefits such as paid breaks, setting a benchmark within UK grocery retail.

As the UK retail sector braces for ongoing inflation and rising wage benchmarks, Aldi’s announcement reinforces the retailer’s strategy to remain a leader in worker pay and conditions, pressing its competitors to follow suit or risk falling behind in the battle for talent.