Supermarket chain Aldi plans to recruit 3,500 new store colleagues across the UK as it prepares for the anticipated increase in customer demand during the 2024 festive season. 

The roles include store assistants, managerial positions and cleaners, with competitive pay rates and paid breaks. 

The new hires will be instrumental in stock replenishment, customer assistance and maintaining service standards. 

The company is offering industry-leading starting wages of £12.40 per hour nationally and £13.65 within the M25, London's orbital motorway.  

Aldi stands out as the only UK supermarket to provide paid breaks, translating to an additional benefit of more than £900 annually for the average store colleague. 

This recruitment is part of the retailer’s broader expansion strategy, which includes opening 17 new stores by the end of 2024. 

It aligns with the retailer's long-term goal to operate 1,500 stores in the UK to address growing consumer demand. 

Aldi UK recruitment director Kelly Stokes stated: "Our mission is to make affordable, high-quality food accessible to everyone, and that is even more important at this time of year. 

"Our colleagues are essential to ensuring Aldi shoppers have a great experience in-store, and we’re once again closing our stores on Boxing Day to give them a well-deserved break as a thank you for their dedication.” 

UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s recently announced plans to recruit 20,000 new colleagues across the UK in preparation for the anticipated increase in customer demand during the 2024 Christmas season. 

E-commerce giant Amazon also plans to recruit more than 15,000 seasonal employees across its network of fulfilment centres, sortation centres and delivery stations in the UK.