UK Supermarkets Raise Wages Above Minimum

Major UK supermarkets are raising hourly wages for tens of thousands of store workers this spring, outpacing the upcoming national minimum wage increase and positioning budget chains like Aldi and Lidl as leaders in retail pay. The moves come amid ongoing economic pressures, with Aldi announcing plans to hire hundreds of new staff across regions including Essex, Merseyside, and the West Midlands as part of its store expansion.

The national minimum wage is set to rise from April 2026, increasing to 12.71 pounds per hour for workers aged 21 and over, up from 12.21 pounds. Rates for 18- to 20-year-olds will climb from 10 pounds to 10.85 pounds, while those under 18 and apprentices will see their pay go from 7.55 pounds to 8 pounds. Several supermarkets are voluntarily exceeding these levels, with some aligning to or surpassing the Real Living Wage of 13.45 pounds, calculated by the Living Wage Foundation.

Aldi, which claims to offer the highest entry-level pay in the sector, will increase store assistant wages to 13.50 pounds per hour nationally and 14.88 pounds inside the M25 starting April 1, 2026. These rates rise to 14.47 pounds and 15.20 pounds respectively based on length of...