Asda has increased its hourly rate for store-based workers from today, July 5, following a previous rise in April. The supermarket chain, which operates more than 1,000 stores across the UK, announced the two-step pay uplift earlier this year.
Pay rise details for Asda workers
On April 1, Asda boosted the hourly rate for workers outside the M25 from £12.60 to £12.71. Those working inside the M25 saw hourly pay jump from £13.82 to £13.93. The second increase, effective from July 5, raises the hourly rate to £13.10 for those outside the M25 and to £14.35 for those within it.
Asda said at the time of the phased increase announcement that it would result in 110,000 hourly-paid retail colleagues receiving a 4% above-inflation pay rise. The pay reward represented an £80 million investment, the chain said.
Industry context and competition
James Goodman, chief people officer at Asda, said: “I’m pleased we’ve been able to give them an above‑inflation pay award and invest in this way. I’d also like to thank them for their continued hard work and commitment to making Asda better every day.”
Asda is among a number of other supermarkets that announced increases to the hourly rate for shop floor workers to retain and attract staff, as cost-of-living pressures continue to hit British households. For example, Sainsbury's brought in an above-inflation pay increase of 5% for hourly paid workers from March, with hourly pay rising to £13.23 per hour nationally, whilst in London it rose to £14.54 per hour.
Other supermarket pay rises
From March 1, Lidl increased hourly pay for store assistants outside London to £13.45, a rate that rises to £14.00 depending on length of service. In London, entry-level store workers saw their pay upped to £14.80 per hour, while the hourly rate for experienced staff can rise up to £15.35.
The following month, store assistants working at Aldi's UK branches also saw their pay boosted to £13.50 per hour nationally, with those working inside the M25 getting £14.88. These pay rates rise to £14.47 and £15.20 respectively based on length of service. Other major chains that improved pay include Lidl, Primark, Morrisons, Waitrose, and Tesco.
