Grocery retailer Lidl GB has announced that it will be increasing hourly pay rates for 19,000 employees from March 2020, representing an investment of £10 million into staff pay. This will uplift pay to match the real living wage levels for 2020.
The pay rise, which Lidl has stated will benefit more than 80% of its workforce, sees entry-level wages increase to £9.00 to £9.30 outside of London and £10.55 to £10.75 within the M25. In addition, some employees could receive up to £11.70, depending on their working location and length of service.
Earlier this month, The Living Wage Foundation announced that, effective from April 2020, the voluntary UK real living wage hourly rate will increase to £9.30, from £9.00 per hour, and the London living wage will rise from £10.55 to £10.75.
Christian Härtnagel, chief executive officer 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% of our entire workforce, and are the absolute backbone of our business. It is because of them that we continue to be the fastest growing 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.”
