Lidl has announced it will invest over £10 million in hourly wage rises in the next financial year as it continues to open more stores across the UK.
The supermarket will increase entry-level pay from £9.00 to £9.30 per hour outside of London, and from £10.55 to £10.75 within the M25, with pay rising to £11.70 depending on location and length of service.
Over 80 per cent of Lidl’s UK workforce (19,000 employees) are now set to benefit from pay that is between 13-30 per cent higher than the government’s current National Living Wage.
The new wages, which will come into effect from the supermarket’s new financial year in March 2020,align with the rates advocated by the Living Wage Foundation to reflect the true cost of living.
Christian Härtnagel, CEO at Lidl GB, said: “During this time of such uncertainty, we feel fortunate to be able to make this investment in our colleagues, and give them peace of mind with regards to their salary.
“Our hourly paid employees represent over 80 per cent of our entire workforce, and are the absolute backbone of our business. It is because of them that we continue to be the fastest supermarket, and are able to realise our ambitious expansion plans.
“This move is, therefore, testament to the unwavering commitment that each and every one of them puts into their work on a daily basis.”
The discounter, which celebrates its 25thanniversary this month, said it had increased wages by over 30 per cent in the last five years.
Lidl GB recently announced a £15bn investment in British food, farming and production over the next five years. It currently has 770 stores acrossthe UK and this month confirmed a target of 1,000 stores by the end of 2023, with plans to create new jobs with every store opening.
In June, the discounter also announced a £500m investment in London over the next five years as it opens new stores across the capital.
