Major UK supermarkets are responding to the ongoing cost of living crisis by implementing a new £13 wage policy for their employees. This change will affect several prominent retailers, including Tesco, M&S, Aldi, and Lidl, starting in March and April 2026.
Supermarket Wage Increases
The increases come as grocery retailers boost salaries to support workers amid rising living costs. The statutory minimum wage is set to rise to £12.71 per hour in April 2026, while the Real Living Wage, determined by the Living Wage Foundation, currently stands at £13.45.
- Aldi: Effective in April, hourly pay for store assistants will rise to £13.50, benefiting 28,000 employees. London staff will earn £14.88.
- Lidl: Starting in March, Lidl’s hourly wage will rise to £13.45 nationally, reaching £15.30 in London, benefiting 35,000 workers.
- Tesco: Anticipated pay increase to around £13.35 for over 300,000 employees nationwide. London workers may see wages increase to approximately £14.71.
- M&S: Pay set to rise to £13.41 an hour starting April for approximately 55,000 staff, with London employees earning £14.74.
- Sainsbury’s: Wages will increase to £13.23 nationally and £14.54 in London, directly impacting full-time workers’ earnings positively.
- Asda: Employees currently earn £12.60 per hour, rising to £13.82 for those in London, impacting around 115,000 staff.
- Morrisons: Employees are paid £12.21, increasing to £13.06 in London.
Comments from Executives
Giles Hurley, the Chief Executive of Aldi UK and Ireland, emphasized the importance of their staff, stating that each team member is vital to the company’s success. He acknowledged the hard work of employees and reinforced the retailer’s commitment to offering the highest sector pay.
Simon Roberts, Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s, expressed pride in their decision to raise wages, attributing the supermarket’s success to the dedicated efforts of its employees.
These wage increases reflect a broader trend among UK supermarkets to improve staff remuneration during a challenging economic period. By implementing the new £13 rule across key retailers, workers are expected to benefit significantly.
