Aldi is set to reward its thousands of UK employees with a significant pay increase as part of a £36 million investment in wages and benefits. Starting from March 1, 2026, Store Assistants will receive a new starting pay of £13.35 per hour nationally, with a higher rate of £14.71 per hour within the M25 area. Pay scales will further increase based on length of service, reaching £14.30 per hour nationally and £15.03 per hour inside the M25.
In addition to these increases, Aldi is also raising hourly wages for Store Apprentices to £12.02 outside the M25 and £13.22 within the M25—well above the minimum wage for first-year apprentices.
Giles Hurley, CEO of Aldi UK and Ireland, emphasized the chain’s commitment to its staff: “Our colleagues are at the heart of everything we do. 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.”
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Alongside the pay rise, all Aldi employees can expect enhanced family-focused benefits. Maternity pay, for example, has been extended to 26 weeks at full pay. Aldi also remains unique among supermarkets by offering paid breaks to all store employees, a benefit valued at up to £1,470 annually.
This investment comes on the heels of Aldi’s charitable efforts, where the supermarket donated over 1.5 million meals during the recent holiday season by redirecting surplus food from its stores. Partnering with Neighbourly, a community giving platform, Aldi supports thousands of charities across the UK, addressing rising demand amid challenging winter months.