Supermarket giant Aldi has confirmed a significant pay increase for its store assistants, set to take effect from March 1, 2026. The move will see the retailer's basic hourly rate rise ahead of the government's upcoming increase to the National Minimum Wage.
A Pay Boost Ahead of Schedule
Starting pay for Aldi store assistants across the UK will increase by 33 pence, from £13.02 to £13.35 per hour. This change comes less than two months before the statutory National Minimum Wage rises by 50p to £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over in April. Consequently, Aldi staff will receive 64 pence more per hour than the national baseline.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, emphasised the company's commitment to its workforce. "Our colleagues are at the heart of everything we do," he stated. "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 for our colleagues."
Higher Rates for London and Long-Serving Staff
Employees working within the M25 London orbital motorway will receive an even greater uplift. Their hourly pay will jump by 36 pence, from £14.35 to £14.71. Furthermore, based on length of service, store assistants could see their pay rise to £14.30 per hour nationally and £15.03 in and around London.
Strong Performance Fuels Investment
The pay announcement follows a robust trading period for the discount retailer. Aldi reported a 3% year-on-year sales increase in the four weeks leading to Christmas Eve, reaching £1.65 billion. Sales in the final week alone surged by 5%, an additional £500 million.
The company did not provide like-for-like sales figures, the standard industry metric, having opened 40 new stores last year. Aldi now operates 1,081 UK stores and maintains a long-term goal of expanding to 1,500 outlets. Reflecting on the festive period, Giles Hurley noted, "This Christmas proved once again that a great quality Christmas can still be affordable."
He acknowledged ongoing challenges for households, stating Christmas "remains a challenging time for many" despite falling food price inflation. Looking ahead, Hurley added, "As we move into 2026, our focus remains unchanged – keeping prices low and quality high." This latest pay award represents a major part of Aldi's strategy to retain and reward its staff amidst a competitive labour market.
