One euro more: Aldi Süd and Lidl are raising their company minimum wages

With the start of the new year, the nationwide wage floor will rise. The large discounters Aldi Süd and Lidl are raising pay in the lowest wage group a month earlier in their companies and thus remain above the government target.

The food discounters Aldi Süd and Lidl will increase their minimum wage from 15 to 16 euros from December. Aldi Süd announced that the wage is well above the statutory minimum wage limit of currently 13.90 euros per hour. The statutory minimum wage will rise to 14.60 euros from January - Lidl emphasized that the guaranteed lower wage limit at the discounter will then be eight percent higher than legally required. Aldi Süd cited the renewed increase in inflation as justification. Lidl explained that the company wanted to “continuously offer reliable security and genuine appreciation” to its employees.

Aldi Nord announced that the minimum wage in the company would rise in three stages to 14.90 euros by May 2027. “Thanks to our non-tariff bonuses, we are always well above the legal minimum wage,” the company added.

The minimum wage is aimed primarily at newcomers, temporary workers and unskilled workers, as Aldi Süd and Lidl announced. Depending on qualifications, length of service and wage level, wages are higher at both discounters. Lidl explained that “the vast majority of employees” earn noticeably more than the minimum wage.

Aldi Süd, based in Mülheim an der Ruhr, says it operates around 2,000 branches in southern and western Germany and has a total of around 50,000 employees. Aldi Nord, based in Essen, says it employs around 40,000 people. Lidl, based in Bad Wimpfen in Baden-Württemberg, claims to have more than 100,000 employees in Germany and operates more than 3,250 branches and an online shop. In recent years, the large discount chains in Germany were the first companies to announce minimum wages above the legal minimum wage.