Discount retail chain Aldi is again raising its pay rates for valued store assistants, giving more than 25,000 a bump in hourly wages of 40p to offset rising inflation costs.
Starting next month, those colleagues within the M25 will receive £11.95 per hour, while those outside of it will see increases to £10.50 an hour nationally. That is a far cry from the median national average of more than £31 per hour for full-time employees nationwide, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. Still, it does surpass the Living Wage Foundation’s “recommended real living wage” of £11.05 (M25) and £9.90, respectively, and cited by Aldi.
“Our new rates of pay maintain Aldi’s position as the UK’s highest paying supermarket,” Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, said. “This announcement recognises the amazing contribution our colleagues make in serving local communities across the country. Their outstanding efforts have ensured that our customers continue to have access to fresh affordable food, every single day.”
Overall, Aldi said it will commit £43m to employees this year. In addition to receiving top pay in the industry, one of the other advantages store workers at Aldi have is that they are paid during their breaks. The discount chain says that brings colleagues an additional £830 per year.
As it grows its number of stores across the UK and hires more staff – Aldi now has more than 960 supermarkets and 38,000 workers – it is also looking for more employees in its distribution centres. It has created nearly 1,000 new logistics positions that it plans to fill over the next year. Those full-time and part-time positions can bring as much as £19.80 per hour.
“As we continue to grow and make Aldi accessible to even more shoppers, we need more amazing colleagues at our distribution sites across the country to make that possible,” Kelly Stokes, Recruitment Director at Aldi UK, said. “As well as market-leading pay and benefits, being an Aldi colleague means a great working environment and real opportunities to progress within the business. We look forward to welcoming even more great people to our distribution centres to become a part of our success.”
