Aldi is set to become the highest-paying supermarket in the UK when it increases pay for store assistants to £13.50 an hour nationally and £14.88 in London from April. The move comes as several major supermarkets announce pay rises for their staff ahead of the new national minimum wage and living wage rates coming into effect.
Tesco, the UK's biggest supermarket, announced a 5.1% pay rise to £13.28 an hour from March 29, part of a £200 million investment. London workers will see their hourly allowance increase to £1.27, taking the rate to £14.55 within the M25. Sainsbury's workers are receiving a 5% increase to £13.23 nationally and £14.54 in London, while Lidl has lifted entry-level rates to £13.45 nationally and £14.80 in London.
Tesco UK chief executive Ashwin Prasad said: “Our colleagues play a vital role in delivering for our customers every single day. I’m pleased we’re able to announce this pay deal which reflects our deep appreciation for everything they do and represents another meaningful investment in colleague pay.”
Tesco also plans to introduce a new domestic abuse policy later this year, including up to three days' paid leave for affected workers. Daniel Adams, national officer for trade union Usdaw, welcomed the pay rise and the domestic abuse policy, calling it “something that could make a huge difference for those affected.”
