Supermarket pay 2026
The 2026 pay round pushed all three big grocers past £13 an hour, with the minimum wage at £12.71 doing most of the pushing. Rates below are national base pay for store staff, with London in brackets.
Checked 7 September 2026 · The Grocer pay tracker and company announcements
| Retailer | National rate | London rate | Effective | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco | £13.28 | £14.55 | 29 March 2026 | 5.1% |
| Asda | £13.10 | £14.35 | 5 July 2026 | 4% (in two stages) |
| Sainsbury's | £13.23 | £14.54 | March 2026 | 5% |
Each retailer page has the detail: staged increases, what the London allowance covers, and the source announcement.
Common questions
Which supermarket pays the most in 2026?
Of the big three grocers, Tesco pays the highest base rate at £13.28 an hour from March 2026, ahead of Sainsbury's at £13.23 and Asda at £13.10. Aldi and Lidl typically position above the traditional big four; their in-year changes are worth checking directly.
How do supermarket rates compare with the minimum wage?
The National Living Wage is £12.71 from April 2026. Tesco's £13.28 is about 4.5% above it, Sainsbury's 4.1% and Asda 3.1% once its July stage landed. The gap has narrowed year by year as the legal floor climbs faster than retail settlements.
Do supermarket staff in London get more?
Yes. Location allowances inside the M25 take Tesco to £14.55, Sainsbury's to £14.54 and Asda to £14.35 an hour in 2026.