Aldi Staff to Get Two Pay Rises in 2026 with Higher Wages

Published: 26 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Aldi, the German‑owned budget supermarket, has announced that its UK store staff will receive two separate pay rises during 2026, reinforcing its position as one of the highest‑paying employers in the British retail sector. The latest increase marks the second wage uplift in just a few weeks, following an earlier rise set to take effect in March.

The new pay structure, effective from April 1, will see Aldi store assistants paid at least £13.50 per hour outside London, with hourly rates rising to £14.88 within the M25 area. These rates are ahead of those previously announced by competitor supermarkets and exceed the UK government’s new legal minimum wage of £12.71 per hour that comes into force in April.

Aldi’s wage increases this year build on an earlier raise implemented for March, which had already lifted entry‑level pay. Together, the two scheduled increases reflect a significant investment in staff remuneration. The supermarket group employs more than 28,000 hourly‑paid store colleagues across its UK network and has said the pay rises underline its strategy to attract and retain front‑line workers amid strong competition in the retail labour market.

Aldi also indicated that pay rates increase further with length of service, meaning longer‑serving employees can earn up to £14.47 per hour nationally and £15.20 in London under the new scheme. This employment proposition, along with benefits such as paid breaks for all staff, aims to position Aldi above rival firms in overall staff compensation.

Industry commentators note that wage growth in the UK retail sector has been steadily rising, with chains such as Lidl, Waitrose, and Sainsbury’s also announcing above‑inflation pay increases this year. Aldi’s move intensifies this trend and highlights ongoing competitive pressures to offer better pay in an environment where labour market conditions remain challenging. The Bank of England is tracking such wage settlements closely for their potential implications on broader inflation and monetary policy decisions.

In a statement accompanying the announcement, Aldi emphasised that its pay strategy is part of a broader investment in colleagues, as the company continues to expand its store footprint in the UK. The retailer plans to open additional outlets throughout 2026, reinforcing both its market growth and demand for personnel.

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