Discount supermarket chain Lidl has announced its seventh pay increase for staff since 2023, reinforcing its position as a leading employer in the competitive UK grocery sector. The German-owned retailer, which employs over 35,000 workers across the country, is investing £29 million in these latest wage enhancements.
New Pay Rates and National Impact
From March 1, entry-level pay will rise to £13.45 per hour nationwide, with this figure increasing to £14.45 for employees based on their length of service. In London, new starter pay will see a significant boost from £14.35 to £14.80 per hour, climbing to £15.30 with tenure. Lidl claims these adjustments once again make it the highest paying UK supermarket, a title it has actively pursued through repeated wage reviews.
This announcement comes just ahead of the national minimum wage increase, which will see rates for eligible workers aged 21 and over rise by 50p from £12.21 to £12.71 per hour starting April 1. Lidl's proactive approach positions it well above these statutory requirements, highlighting its commitment to staff welfare amid broader economic pressures.
Enhanced Paternity Leave and Gender Equality
In addition to wage increases, Lidl is doubling its paternity leave offering from two to four weeks of full pay. This benefit will further expand to eight weeks of fully paid leave for employees with five or more years of service. Stephanie Rogers, chief people officer at Lidl, emphasised the importance of this change, stating, "We believe that a longer period of paid paternity leave is a vital step on our journey towards gender equality in the workplace."
Rogers added, "Our colleagues are the backbone of our business, and their success is our success. We are continuing to mark unprecedented growth across Great Britain, creating thousands more jobs along the way, while continuing to invest in our people."
Expansion and Market Performance
Lidl's investment in its workforce coincides with ambitious expansion plans. The retailer recently revealed intentions to open 19 new stores over the next eight weeks, a move expected to create up to 640 additional jobs. This follows the milestone of opening its 1,000th store last year, with around 40 more sites targeted by February 28.
According to experts at Worldpanel, Lidl is currently Britain's sixth-largest grocery chain, having made the biggest market share gains in the sector in recent months. The group's strong performance was highlighted by a 10 per cent surge in sales over the Christmas period, generating more than £1.1 billion in turnover in the four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve.
This combination of wage increases, enhanced benefits, and strategic growth underscores Lidl's aggressive positioning in the UK market, as it seeks to attract and retain talent while expanding its footprint nationwide.
