Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury's and Waitrose staff pay from April – with one clear winner
See below for a full list of 2026 supermarket wages.
The National Living Wage in the UK is set to rise in April, and major supermarkets are offering higher pay to attract and retain staff. Several retailers have confirmed pay rises this year. Asda will increase pay for its 110,000 hourly employees to £13.10 from July, with a staged rise to £12.71 in April. Staff within the M25 will earn £13.93 in April and £14.35 from July. Tesco has announced a 5.1% increase for hourly staff, effective at the end of March.
M&S is giving a 6.4% rise from April 1, with chief executive Stuart Machin calling it an "inflation-beating pay award". Hourly pay will reach at least £13.41 nationwide, and £14.74 in the M25, making it the second-highest-paying London grocer. Aldi leads the sector, however. From April 1, store assistants will earn £13.50 nationally and £14.88 inside the M25. Pay can rise to £14.30 nationally and £15.03 in the M25 based on length of service.
READ MORE: Waitrose introduces £13.25 rule in all UK stores from April
READ MORE: Sainsbury's introduces new £13.23 rule in stores across the UK
CEO Giles Hurley said: "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."
The John Lewis Partnership, which owns Waitrose and John Lewis, has awarded a 6.9% pay rise to most of its 69,000 staff, following three years of frozen bonuses.
Chief people officer Helen Webb said: "Our partners are the heartbeat of our business. This £108 million investment is about putting more money into their pockets month-in, month-out. This pay growth demonstrates a sustained commitment to partner pay… ensuring the rewards for our partners’ hard work are built into their monthly pay."
Lidl has increased pay to £13.45 nationally and £14.45 with service from March 1, alongside doubling paid paternity leave from two to four weeks, rising to eight weeks after five years.
Sainsbury's is offering a 5% rise, with CEO Simon Roberts stating: "Our colleagues are at the heart of our business. Their hard work, dedication and commitment have driven our strong momentum and helped us win grocery market share growth for the sixth consecutive Christmas period."
Summary pay 2026
The Retail Gazette news outlet has reviewed the top UK grocers to see which chains pay the most for hourly work.
- Aldi – £13.50 per hour
- Lidl – £13.45 per hour
- M&S – £13.41 per hour
- Tesco – £13.28 per hour
- Waitrose – £13.25 per hour
- Sainsbury's – £13.23
- Asda – £13.10 per hour
- Co-op – £12.60
- Morrisons – £12.21
- Iceland – £11.20/£12.77 for over 21s
