Primark has introduced a £13 minimum average hourly pay rate across all its UK stores, effective from April 1, 2026. The high street fashion retailer, which operates more than 190 branches nationwide, increased pay for retail assistants in England, Scotland, and Wales to at least £13 per hour, while London-based staff will receive a minimum of £13.71 per hour.
Additional Benefits and Recognition
In addition to the hourly rate changes, Primark employees will continue to enjoy a 15% year-round discount on store purchases, along with other benefits. Kari Rodgers, UK retail director at Primark, said: “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. 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.”
Industry-Wide Pay Increases
Primark's pay rise comes amid a wave of similar moves by other major retailers as the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect British households. Aldi, for instance, increased its store assistant pay to at least £13.50 per hour, with those inside the M25 earning £14.88. Rates rise to £14.47 and £15.20 respectively based on length of service. Aldi said the change would benefit 28,000 hourly-paid store workers, marking its second pay rise in 2026 after January's announcement of enhanced rates and extended maternity pay to 26 weeks at full pay.
Other supermarket chains including Sainsbury's, Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons, and Lidl have also raised wages for their workers. The pay hikes align with the increase in the National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over to £12.71 per hour, while 18-20 year olds now earn at least £10.85 per hour under the National Minimum Wage. Apprentices and under-18s receive a minimum of £8 per hour.
