**Aldi Announces Minimum £13 Per Hour Wage for All UK Store Workers from September**
Aldi has declared a significant enhancement to its pay structure, promising a minimum hourly wage of £13 for all store employees aged over 21 across its UK outlets starting from September 2025. The move not only cements Aldi’s reputation as Britain’s most generous supermarket employer but also positions it ahead of national pay benchmarks and major competitors.
From 1 September 2025, staff in London will receive an even higher rate of £14.33 per hour to reflect the higher cost of living in the capital. This new rate for Aldi workers nationwide significantly outstrips the Real Living Wage set by the Living Wage Foundation, currently at £12.60 per hour. The initiative reaffirms Aldi’s intention to attract and retain top talent in the grocery sector.
At present, Aldi’s Store Assistants are paid a minimum of £12.75 per hour nationally, with their London counterparts receiving £14.05. Seasoned employees enjoy even higher hourly rates, depending on their tenure with the company. The discount retailer remains among the few supermarkets in the UK to grant paid breaks, an extra benefit valued at more than £1,300 a year for full-time employees on the shop floor.
Chief Executive of Aldi UK and Ireland, Giles Hurley, expressed pride in the workforce, stating, “Our people are the driving force behind our success across the UK. This latest investment is a reflection of their hard work and the incredible contribution they make every single day. We’re proud to remain the UK’s highest-paying supermarket and will continue to support our colleagues in every way we can.” His statement echoes the company’s ongoing commitment to employee welfare.
Currently, Aldi has over 730 job vacancies for Store Assistants throughout the UK, accessible via their online recruitment platform. The job listings detail a dynamic working environment where staff are responsible for a wide range of duties, from accepting deliveries and replenishing shelves to providing customer service. According to the postings, teamwork and efficiency are core values, fostering a collaborative and family-like workplace atmosphere.
Aldi’s wage rise follows its recognition as Employer of the Year at The Grocer Gold Awards, where it was commended not only for its remuneration packages but also for investment in training and for fostering an inclusive and diverse working environment. The German-owned retailer is also expanding rapidly, with plans to potentially open over 115 new shops across the country, an ambition likely to create even more job opportunities.
This development comes amidst a backdrop of increasing minimum wages across the country. As of April 2025, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over rose to £12.21 per hour, while those aged between 18 and 21 now receive at least £10 per hour. Meanwhile, under-18s have seen their minimum pay climb to £7.55 an hour, reflecting a wider movement to improve pay standards within retail and other sectors.
Compared to its competitors, Aldi’s pay rates stand out. For example, Asda and Lidl pay a minimum of £12.75 while other leading supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, the Co-op, and M&S currently offer hourly rates ranging from £12.40 to £12.64 nationally, with London rates slightly higher. Iceland and Waitrose also fall short of the newly announced Aldi minimum, further setting the retailer apart.
Industry observers note that Aldi’s strategy not only boosts its reputation as an employer of choice but could also encourage other major retailers to raise their own wages. By elevating the industry standard, Aldi is recognising the crucial role played by supermarket workers in the UK’s food retail sector, especially in challenging economic times.
This wage commitment by Aldi will likely be welcomed by jobseekers, union groups, and long-standing employees alike, and could potentially stimulate a broader rise in pay throughout the retail workforce. As the UK faces sustained cost-of-living pressures, such moves are sure to resonate both within the sector and among consumers who value ethical business practices.