Aldi aims to maintain fair, long-term relationships with farmers, often using fixed-price contracts that ensure consistent pay regardless of low retail prices, such as during Christmas "veg wars". However, some industry voices argue that deep discounting on produce devalues products and that overall supermarket pricing often fails to cover the full costs of production, putting pressure on farmer incomes.
Under the new initiative, all fresh produce suppliers who have a turnover of under £5 million will be offered new, quicker payment terms for the remainder of 2025. The changes take effect immediately and form part of Aldi's broader commitment to long-term, fair relationships with British growers.
For years we have been working with our suppliers to increase the number of independently certified products we sell, such as bananas, cocoa, coffee and tea. To do this, we use schemes such as Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance.
Aldi is set to introduce a new £13.35 rule from March 1. The German supermarket will hand staff a pay rise in less than two months, ahead of an increase to the national minimum wage in April. The Labour Party government has hiked wage rates for millions of workers.
Then Aldi matched Lidl's offer nationally but went higher inside the M25. It left both paying a current £12.75 an hour nationally and Aldi paying £14.05 an hour within the M25 to Lidl's £14. Both discounters' rates also rise after a minimum length of service.
By focusing on offering high-quality products at unbeatable prices (they even have other supermarkets in competition with price matching their products with Aldis), the German supermarket chain has carved a niche for itself in the highly competitive retail industry.
We work with small-scale farmers and workers around the world to build a fairer trade system - one where they can earn a decent income, work in safe conditions, and invest in their futures as they see fit.
Lidl shoppers saved an average of £42.66 when compared with customers at Waitrose, the most expensive retailer, who spent an average of £163.04 for the same basket of goods.
The supermarket chain is paying staff in London and within the M25 over £14 an hour ahead of Christmas. This means that it continues to be the highest-paying UK supermarket, with starting salaries for Store Assistants at £13.02 an hour nationally and £14.35 within the M25.
Last July, Aldi announced it would boost pay to over £13 per hour from September, and has now confirmed a further 33p per hour increase to 'reinforce its pledge to never be beaten on pay'. The supermarket maintains it is leading the market on the minimum rate, which also rises to £14.66 with a length of service bonus.
The "Aisle of Shame" is the fan-given nickname for the middle section of Aldi where rotating, limited-time products are sold. Officially called "Aldi Finds," this aisle features a wide variety of items from home goods and kitchen gadgets to seasonal decor.
M&S launched legal action against the German discount store in April 2021, accusing its rival of copying the design of its Colin the Caterpillar cake in a bid to force Aldi to take its Cuthbert the Caterpillar cake off the shelves and agree not to sell anything resembling it in the future.
Lidl was founded by Josef Schwarz, a German businessman who focused on opening grocery stores in his home country, and the chain didn't expand into more of Europe until 1977. Aldi, on the other hand, was founded by German brothers Theo and Karl Albrecht, who quickly expanded their grocery chain across the globe.
Major supermarket announces 'bigger than expected' pay rise for thousands of staff to remain UK's 'highest-paying' Aldi today announced a 'bigger than expected' pay rise for supermarket staff from next week to ensure it remains the best-paying chain ahead of discount rival Lidl.
