Aldi introduces new £14 rule for 65 supermarkets in UK-first

Aldi has introduced the £14.35 pay rate for all the workers employed in more than 65 stores as it gears up for the busy festive period and its future expansion plans. The staff at 65 stores inside the M25 are being paid £14 an hour by Aldi ahead of Christmas. The supermarket has paid £14 (£14.05) since March but from 1 September, the rate inside the M25 increased to £14.35

The popular budgeted UK supermarket is planning to recruit 4,500 store colleagues ahead of Christmas as part of its massive expansion plans. Nine new shops are scheduled to come up within the M25 as the supermarket plans to open 100 shops around the capital. The supermarket is looking to hire for a wide range of permanent store positions to help replenish stock and assist customers during the festive season and into 2026. Roles on offer include store assistants, managerial positions and cleaners.

Kelly Stokes, recruitment director at Aldi UK, said: "At Aldi, our goal is to make high-quality, affordable food accessible to everyone - and at Christmas, demand for that always increases.

"That's why we're bringing more colleagues into our stores, ensuring we continue to deliver the very best experience for our shoppers.

"Our people are at the heart of our success, and once again we'll be closing all our stores on Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

"It's important to us that our colleagues have the chance to enjoy a well-deserved break and spend valuable time with their loved ones."

Aldi remains the highest-paying UK supermarket, with starting pay for Store Assistants at £13.02 an hour nationally and £14.35 inside the M25, Birmingham Live reports.

The new minimum rate, which surpasses the Real Living Wage set by the Living Wage Foundation in October last year, came into effect from Saturday 1 March. The provision of paid breaks is estimated to be worth approximately £1,370 annually for the average store colleague.

It comes as Aldi recently revealed that it will remain shut for three key days this festive season, giving staff extra time off over Christmas and New Year.

The discount supermarket chain, which operates more than 1,050 branches across Britain, will close its doors on Christmas Day (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26), and New Year's Day (January 1, 2026).