The German discounter, which now counts half of Britain’s households as shoppers, has revealed that it will introduce a new £8.40 minimum rate for all United Kingdom staff from next February, regardless of their age.
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The €11.50 rate matches a minimum hourly pay rate which competitor discount supermarket Lidl Ireland announced earlier this month will take effect in its 143 stores on November 1.
The news comes after sector peer Lidl and Morrisons announced they will pay their employees at least £8.20 and ahead of the introduction of the National Living Wage, which will see workers aged 25 or over receive at least £7.20 per hour from April onward.
Aldi already pays all its store assistants at least £8.15 an hour and more than £9 per hour on average.
Maureen Hinton, group research director at retail research agency Conlumino, recently told the Press Association that wages are a “big topic” for the supermarkets.
The revised wage will make Aldi the highest payer among all supermarket companies.
Aldi has also announced plans to recruit and train more than 400 people throughout 2016, to support its ongoing expansion in Ireland. “It’s time for business to recognise we need a recovery for all”.
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“Just as Aldi won’t be beaten on the low prices of our products, we are also committed to offering the best pay and benefits in the industry”, said Matthew Barnes, Aldi United Kingdom & Ireland chief executive.
