Aldi turns into first grocery store in UK to introduce ‘£13.50’ change
The supermarket chain has announced that the new rule in 1,080 stores is from from April 1 this year.
Aldi today announced a new pay deal for staff across its UK stores(Image: Getty Images)
Aldi has blazed a trail by becoming the first supermarket chain to roll out a ‘£13.50’ policy across its UK outlets. The retailer revealed this morning that starting wages will climb to £13.50 nationwide and £14.88 within the M25 from April 1 this year.
The discount grocer emphasised it continues to be the sole major supermarket providing all staff with paid breaks – valued at roughly £1,500 per year. Beginning April 1, 2026, Shop Floor Workers will pocket £13.50 hourly across the country and £14.88 inside the M25.
These figures increase to £14.47 and £15.20 respectively depending on years of service.
The boost will help more than 28,000 hourly-paid shop floor staff and marks the second wage hike for Aldi teams this year, after January’s reveal of improved rates and extended maternity leave to 26 weeks on full wages.
Together, these initiatives amount to a £42 million commitment to staff wages in 2026 alone, reports Lancs Live.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, commented: “Our colleagues work incredibly hard to deliver exceptional value for our customers, and we’re rewarding that dedication with the highest pay in the sector.
“We’ve invested over £42 million in colleague pay this year because we know that every single member of Team Aldi is fundamental to our success and deserve nothing less.”
Aldi employs more than 45,000 staff across the UK and continues to expand rapidly, with plans to open 40 new stores in 2026 as part of a £370 million investment programme. The supermarket is investing an additional £300 million in upgrading and extending existing stores, reinforcing its position as one of Britain’s fastest-growing food retailers.
The budget chain recently revealed ambitious plans to launch 40 fresh outlets nationwide this year as part of a whopping £370 million investment commitment.
The German-owned discount giant, which ranks as Britain’s fourth largest grocery player, declared its intention to plug the “gaps” in regions currently without stores.
This fresh investment represents part of its massive £1.6 billion two-year expansion strategy unveiled in September, with funds earmarked for launching 80 new outlets during this timeframe.
Aldi, which presently operates roughly 1,060 stores, has set its sights on reaching 1,500 locations nationwide in the long run.
This year’s fresh outlets are planned for spots including Southam in Warwickshire, Hastings in East Sussex, and Amersham in Buckinghamshire.
This follows a wave of store launches last year encompassing Eastbourne, in East Sussex, Fulham Broadway in London and Deeside in Wales.
Giles Hurley, the chief executive of Aldi UK and Ireland, said the group recognises that “there are still areas without an Aldi store, so our expansion plans for 2026 are designed to address some of these gaps”. “We’ve always believed that access to high-quality affordable food is a right, not a privilege, and that’s why it’s our mission to make this a reality for customers up and down the UK,” he said.
