Aldi has announced a pay rise for over 3,000 staff, making it the highest-paying supermarket in the UK. From 1 February, employees will earn £8.53 per hour, or £9.75 in London, surpassing rival Lidl's rates.
The German discounter's new hourly rate outside London is 7p higher than Lidl's, while London rates match Lidl's minimum. Both chains now meet or exceed the Living Wage Foundation's voluntary minimum.
Aldi's UK chief executive, Matthew Barnes, credited staff dedication for the company's growth. He said: 'We recognise the valuable contribution that our thousands of store employees make every day.' The chain also pays staff for breaks, a benefit it claims Lidl does not offer.
The pay rise comes as Aldi expands rapidly, aiming to increase its UK store count from 700 to 1,000 by 2022. The 700th store will open next month, and the company is hiring about 4,000 new staff.
In November, Lidl announced a 2.4% pay rise for 5,500 employees, setting minimum rates of £8.45 per hour and £9.75 in London, effective from 1 March.
