Aldi is giving its 26,000 store workers a second pay increase this year, which it claims will maintain its position as the UK’s best-paying supermarket amid a tight labour market.
From September, all hourly paid staff in its 970 outlets will receive an increase of 40p an hour on their current hourly rate, taking the discounter’s minimum pay rates for Store Assistants to £10.50 an hour nationally and £11.95 for those inside the M25.
Aldi also remains the only major supermarket in the UK to offer paid breaks, which is said to be worth more than £830 a year for the average store worker.
The new rates exceed the Living Wage Foundation’s recommended real living wage of £9.90 an hour nationally and £11.05 inside the M25.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “This announcement recognises the amazing contribution our colleagues make in serving local communities across the country. Their outstanding efforts have ensured that our customers continue to have access to fresh affordable food, every single day.”
Many employers are offering higher pay deals in the face of staff shortages and accelerating prices. Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons have all raised pay this year.
NAM Implications:
- Worth keeping in mind that this is a mere discounter that dared to enter the sophisticated UK retail scene 32 years ago…
- …selling surrogate labels and a handful of brands…
- …with little hope of succeeding…
- …and little reason for rivals to react!
