Asda has released its 2023 Gender Pay figures, showing improvement compared to the previous year.

The mean pay gap between male and female colleagues decreased from 7.6% to 6.6%, and the median gap narrowed from 4.7% to 5.0%. Whilst the median pay gap did increase in 2023, Asda has still shown progress since 2021 where the gap equalled 6.1%.

Notably, hourly paid retail store colleagues, who comprise 84% of Asda's workforce, achieved a 0% median pay gap.

However, Asda acknowledged the disparity persists and remains significantly below the national average (14.3% median and 13.2% mean).

The company attributes the gap partly to the underrepresentation of women in senior positions.

Asda has more than 137,000 colleagues, with 52% identifying as female. 38% of Asda’s senior leadership positions are held by women.

Commitment to progress

Asda emphasised its dedication to fostering an inclusive environment and supporting female colleagues' career development.

It offers internal and external training programmes, including the Intentional Allyship programme.

Specifically run for women and colleagues from ethnically diverse backgrounds, the Intentional Ally programme is focused on skills development, career advancement, and fostering inclusion.

For 2024, 46% of Asda’s Future Talent cohort are women, including 60% in its Asda Logistics Services degree apprenticeships programme and 50% in its retail graduate programme.

Additionally, Asda launched the Asda Allies Inclusion Networks, comprised of employee groups such as Women in Leadership, aimed at promoting inclusivity and positive change.

The company also collaborates with external organisations such as LEAD to achieve greater gender parity in leadership positions.

In 2023, Asda signed its Gender Parity Pledge, committing to improve gender balance at the director level and above.

While Asda demonstrates progress, persistent efforts are needed to fully address the gender pay gap and achieve parity in senior leadership roles.