Primark has increased average hourly pay rates for its UK retail assistants to a minimum of £13, a change that took effect on April 1, 2026. The move applies to stores across England, Scotland and Wales, with workers in London receiving at least £13.71 per hour.
The fashion retailer, which operates around 200 stores across the country, said that alongside the hourly rate changes, staff will continue to benefit from a 15% year-round discount and other perks.
Recognition for retail staff
Kari Rodgers, UK retail director at Primark, said at the time of the announcement: “As retail becomes a more demanding environment, our colleagues play an increasingly important role to support our customers and the local communities we’re part of up and down the country.”
She added: “By investing in increasing colleague pay, we hope this goes some way towards recognising their hard work, commitment and the value they bring every day.”
The pay rise came as several other retailers increased wages for shop assistants this year, amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures on British households.
Wider retail pay increases
Aldi UK raised its hourly pay to at least £13.50, with staff working inside the M25 receiving £14.88. These rates increase to £14.47 and £15.20 respectively based on length of service.
Aldi previously said the change would benefit 28,000 hourly-paid store workers, marking the second pay rise for Aldi teams in 2026, following January's announcement of enhanced rates and extended maternity pay to 26 weeks at full pay.
Other retailers that boosted pay for staff included Lidl, John Lewis and Waitrose, Tesco, and others.
National Living Wage context
The pay hikes came as the National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over rose to £12.71, while 18-20 year olds earning under the new National Minimum Wage saw their hourly pay increased to £10.85. Apprentices and under-18s began to receive a minimum of £8 per hour.
