Aldi will raise the minimum rate of pay for its store employees to at least £13.00 per hour.

The discounter says it is the first supermarket in the UK to pay the rate.
The new minimum rate, which increases to £14.33 within the M25, will come into force from 1st September 2025.

Aldi said it exceeds the Real Living Wage of £12.60 an hour that was set by the Living Wage Foundation in October last year.

Store assistants at Aldi are currently paid a minimum of £12.75 an hour nationwide, and £14.05 an hour within the M25.

Based on the length of service, Aldi said store assistants’ pay will rise further to £13.93 nationally, and £14.64 within the M25.

The company also claimed that it is the only UK supermarket to offer all employees paid breaks, which is worth approximately £1,385 a year for the average store employee.

“This latest investment in pay is a reflection of their hard work and the incredible contribution they make every single day,” said Giles Hurley, chief executive at Aldi UK and Ireland. “We’re proud to remain the UK’s highest-paying supermarket and will continue to support our colleagues in every way we can.”
Last month, Aldi announced it is planning to create 1,000 new store positions by the end of 2026 as part of its UK expansion strategy.

The supermarket chain, which currently operates over 1,050 stores and employs more than 45,000 people across the UK, is recruiting for various shop floor roles including shop assistants, cleaners and apprentices.

The company is also seeking candidates for management positions.

Aldi is also set to open ten new stores over the summer as part of its expansion plans, whilst a further 30 existing stores will undergo refurbishment to enhance the customer experience.

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