Sainsbury’s announces a 5% pay increase for its hourly-paid colleagues across all UK stores, surpassing inflation and setting the new national hourly rate at £13.23. Employees in London will earn £14.54 per hour. This adjustment takes effect from March 2026, potentially adding more than £1,200 annually to full-time workers’ income.

Details of the Pay Rise and Employee Benefits

The supermarket chain highlights this as a leading offer in the sector. Over the last five years, Sainsbury’s has boosted pay by 42%. In addition to the raise, staff enjoy comprehensive perks, including a pension scheme, share-save options, free meals during shifts, and employee discounts. These benefits can save workers over £600 each year on an £80 weekly grocery shop.

Leadership and Union Perspectives

Simon Roberts, CEO of Sainsbury’s, emphasizes the value of employee contributions. He states, “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. I’m delighted to share that we will be raising pay for our hourly-paid colleagues by 5% this year. This increase reflects our commitment to rewarding our colleagues for their exceptional service and productivity.”

Joanne Thomas, general secretary of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW), welcomes the development. She notes, “Usdaw has a longstanding and valued relationship with Sainsbury’s and we welcome today’s announcement of an above-inflation pay rise. Our members are key workers in their communities and crucial to the success of the business. It is only right they are fairly rewarded for their hard work, a case that Usdaw has consistently made in pay talks with the company.”

This move aligns with broader trends in retail. Aldi recently provided its store workers with another pay increase, marking the second since September.