Aldi Announces Second Pay Rise for 28,000 UK Workers in 2026
Aldi is set to become the best-paying supermarket in the United Kingdom after revealing its second pay increase for staff this year. The move will benefit more than 28,000 hourly-paid store workers across the country.
New Pay Rates and Implementation Details
From April 1, 2026, Aldi's store assistants will see their hourly pay rise to £13.50 nationally and £14.88 inside the M25 London orbital motorway. Based on length of service, these rates will further increase to £14.47 and £15.20 per hour, respectively. This announcement follows an earlier pay rise scheduled for March 2026, highlighting Aldi's ongoing commitment to employee remuneration.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, stated: "Our colleagues work incredibly hard to deliver exceptional value for our customers, and we're rewarding that dedication with the highest pay in the sector. We've invested over £42 million in colleague pay this year because we know that every single member of Team Aldi is fundamental to our success and deserve nothing less."
Competitive Landscape and Industry Impact
This pay rise positions Aldi ahead of rival Lidl, which had been poised to become the best-paying supermarket next month with planned increases to £13.45 per hour nationally and £14.80 in London. Aldi employs over 45,000 people across the UK, and this latest investment underscores its strategy to attract and retain talent in a competitive retail environment.
Expansion and Sustainability Initiatives
In addition to the pay increases, Aldi is embarking on a significant expansion and community support programme. The supermarket plans to open 40 new stores in 2026 as part of a £370 million investment, alongside an additional £300 million allocated for upgrading and extending existing locations.
Aldi is also enhancing its sustainability efforts through a partnership with The Bread and Butter Thing charity. Following a successful pilot in 2025 that donated 455,000 meals, the initiative will be rolled out across all remaining Regional Distribution Centres in 2026, aiming to provide an additional 1.2 million meals to families in need. This programme allows Aldi's suppliers to donate products that are unsellable due to packaging or labelling issues but remain edible.
Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, commented: "Expanding this initiative across all of our Regional Distribution Centres marks an important step in how we reduce waste and continue to support our communities. Through our partnership with The Bread and Butter Thing, we're ensuring that even more surplus food is redirected to families who need it most, rather than going to waste."
The combined efforts in pay rises, store expansion, and community support reflect Aldi's broader strategy to strengthen its market position while addressing social and environmental responsibilities.
