The Morrisons pay rise has officially been confirmed after supermarket and manufacturing colleagues voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new pay agreement with USDAW.
The deal means eligible staff will receive three wage increases within six months, taking Customer Assistant hourly pay from £12.71 to £13.11 by October 2026.
Morrisons has also announced one-off payments of up to £175 for qualifying hourly-paid workers as supermarkets continue raising wages above the National Living Wage.
Key Takeaways
- Morrisons staff approved the pay deal with a 91.87% vote
- Customer Assistant pay will rise to £13.11 by October 2026
- The wage increase will happen in three stages across 2026
- Eligible employees will receive one-off payments between £25 and £175
- Morrisons joins major retailers adopting the “£13 rule”
- Other supermarkets including Tesco, Aldi and Lidl have also increased wages
- The pay rise reflects growing competition for retail workers across the UK
Why Has Morrisons Confirmed a New Pay Rise for Staff in 2026?
Morrisons confirmed the new wage agreement after discussions with the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw). The agreement covers supermarket and manufacturing employees under the national pay deal.
USDAW Ballot Secures Overwhelming Support
According to Morrisons, the proposal secured a strong 91.87% vote in favour during the colleague ballot process. This gave the retailer approval to move ahead with a three-stage increase throughout 2026.
The supermarket said the increases are designed to reward employees for their contribution while helping staff cope with increasing living costs across the UK.
Jodie Keating, Group People Director at Morrisons, said:
“We’re pleased that we can now implement the pay proposal and increase pay for our colleagues to reward them for the contribution they make to our business.”
Why Morrisons Says the Increase Matters for Employees?
The retail sector has faced continued pressure due to rising inflation, labour shortages and growing competition between supermarkets. Many retailers are now increasing wages beyond the legal minimum to retain experienced staff.
A retail employment consultant described the situation clearly:
“I’ve worked with supermarket employers for several years, and the competition for reliable retail staff has never been stronger. Businesses know that improving pay is now one of the most effective ways to retain experienced employees.”
This reflects a wider trend across the UK retail industry, where major chains are attempting to improve staff retention through better wages and additional payments.
What Are the Three Morrisons Wage Increases Happening in 2026?
The Morrisons pay rise will happen in three separate stages throughout the year.
First Pay Rise From March 2026
From Monday, 30 March 2026:
- Customer Assistant pay increased from £12.71 to £12.81 per hour
- Other established hourly rates increased by 10p
Second Pay Rise From July 2026
From Monday, 20 July 2026:
- Customer Assistant pay will increase from £12.81 to £13.00 per hour
- Other hourly rates covered by the agreement will rise by 19p
Final Pay Increase From October 2026
From Monday, 26 October 2026:
- Customer Assistant pay will increase from £13.00 to £13.11 per hour
- Other established hourly rates will increase by another 11p
Morrisons Pay Rise Timeline
| Date | Customer Assistant Pay | Increase |
| Before March 2026 | £12.71 | – |
| 30 March 2026 | £12.81 | +10p |
| 20 July 2026 | £13.00 | +19p |
| 26 October 2026 | £13.11 | +11p |
The gradual increase means Morrisons workers will receive three wage rises in less than a year.
How Much Will Morrisons Customer Assistants Earn After the Pay Rise?
By October 2026, Customer Assistants at Morrisons will earn £13.11 per hour. This places the supermarket above the National Living Wage rate introduced earlier in the year.
For full-time employees, the increase could make a noticeable difference to annual earnings.
Estimated Annual Earnings at Morrisons
| Hourly Rate | Approx Annual Salary (37.5 hours weekly) |
| £12.71 | £24,784 |
| £13.00 | £25,350 |
| £13.11 | £25,564 |
Although the increase may appear modest on an hourly basis, the yearly impact becomes more significant for employees working full-time schedules.
Which Morrisons Employees Will Benefit From the New Wage Deal?
The agreement applies to supermarket and manufacturing colleagues covered under the national USDAW agreement.
Eligible employees include:
- Customer Assistants
- Manufacturing staff
- Store-based hourly workers
- Other qualifying hourly-paid colleagues
The retailer also confirmed that all established hourly pay rates covered under the agreement will increase alongside the Customer Assistant wage rise.
What One-Off Bonus Payments Will Morrisons Staff Receive?
In addition to the hourly wage increases, Morrisons announced that eligible hourly-paid colleagues will receive a fixed one-off payment.
The payment will vary depending on contractual working hours.
Morrisons One-Off Payment Structure
| Contracted Hours | One-Off Payment |
| Lower contracted hours | £25 |
| Medium contracted hours | £75 – £125 |
| Higher contracted hours | Up to £175 |
The company said the payment is intended to provide additional support to workers alongside the staged pay rises.
A workplace relations adviser explained the importance of one-off support payments:
“In many retail businesses, staff appreciate immediate financial support just as much as long-term wage increases. One-off payments can help employees manage rising household costs while larger pay changes are phased in.”
How Does the Morrisons Pay Rise Compare With the National Living Wage?
The National Living Wage increased to £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over from April 2026.
Morrisons had already aligned its wages with this increase earlier in the year. However, the latest agreement pushes employee pay above the legal minimum.
Comparison Between National Living Wage and Morrisons Pay
| Pay Type | Hourly Rate |
| National Living Wage 2026 | £12.71 |
| Morrisons March 2026 Rate | £12.81 |
| Morrisons July 2026 Rate | £13.00 |
| Morrisons October 2026 Rate | £13.11 |
This move demonstrates how supermarkets are increasingly competing through wage growth rather than simply meeting minimum legal requirements.
How Does Morrisons Compare With Other Supermarkets Following the ‘£13 Rule’?
Several major retailers have introduced wage increases that move hourly rates close to or above £13 per hour.
Tesco and Sainsbury’s latest pay updates
Tesco workers are expected to receive around £13.35 per hour nationally, while Sainsbury’s is increasing hourly wages to approximately £14.54.
Aldi and Lidl supermarket wage increases
Aldi and Lidl continue offering some of the highest supermarket wages in the UK retail market.
- Aldi: £13.50 nationally
- Lidl: £13.45 starting rate nationally
Primark and M&S retail pay changes
Other retailers have also introduced substantial increases:
- Primark: £13 per hour nationally
- M&S: £13.41 per hour from April
UK Retailer Wage Comparison 2026
| Retailer | Hourly Rate |
| Morrisons | £13.11 |
| Tesco | £13.35 |
| Aldi | £13.50 |
| Lidl | £13.45 |
| Sainsbury’s | £14.54 |
| M&S | £13.41 |
| Primark | £13.00 |
The growing number of retailers adopting higher pay structures has led many analysts to describe the trend as the “£13 rule” across UK retail.
Why Are UK Supermarkets Increasing Staff Wages in 2026?
Several factors are driving supermarket wage increases across the UK.
These include:
- Rising living costs
- Inflation pressures
- Recruitment challenges
- Increased competition for staff
- Higher employee expectations
- Labour shortages within retail
Supermarkets are also facing pressure to improve working conditions after several years of staffing difficulties across the retail sector.
Industry experts believe higher wages are becoming essential for attracting experienced employees.
One retail analyst explained:
“I’ve seen supermarkets become much more aggressive with pay over the past two years. Retailers understand that staff retention directly impacts customer service, productivity and store performance.”
The increase in wages also reflects changing expectations among workers, particularly younger employees entering the retail industry.
What Does the Morrisons Pay Rise Mean for Staff and the Retail Industry?
For Morrisons staff, the increase provides additional financial support during a period of continued cost-of-living pressures.
Employees will benefit from:
- Higher hourly earnings
- Additional one-off payments
- Pay rates above the National Living Wage
- Improved financial stability
For the wider retail industry, the Morrisons pay rise may place additional pressure on smaller retailers that struggle to match supermarket wage increases.
The trend could also lead to:
- Increased competition for workers
- Further pay negotiations
- Greater focus on employee benefits
- Improved retention strategies
As more supermarkets raise hourly wages above £13, retail pay expectations across the UK are likely to continue increasing.
Could More UK Retailers Introduce Additional Pay Rises This Year?
Many analysts expect additional wage increases across the retail sector during 2026.
Several supermarkets have already reviewed their pay structures more than once within a single year. If inflation and recruitment pressures continue, further rises may follow.
Retail businesses are increasingly recognising that competitive pay is now a major factor in:
- Staff recruitment
- Employee retention
- Workplace morale
- Customer experience
While supermarkets remain among the strongest employers financially, smaller retail chains may find it harder to keep pace with ongoing wage growth.
Conclusion: What Does the Morrisons Pay Rise Mean for Employees in 2026?
The Morrisons pay rise represents one of the most significant supermarket wage agreements announced this year. With three pay increases scheduled between March and October 2026, Customer Assistants will see their hourly pay rise to £13.11.
The agreement also includes one-off support payments and reflects broader changes happening across the UK retail sector as supermarkets compete for workers.
As more retailers adopt higher hourly wage structures, the pressure to improve employee pay and retention is expected to continue throughout the year.
FAQs About the Morrisons Pay Rise
When will the Morrisons pay rise take effect?
The pay rises are being introduced in three stages beginning on 30 March 2026, followed by increases in July and October 2026.
How much will Morrisons staff earn by October 2026?
Customer Assistants at Morrisons will earn £13.11 per hour from 26 October 2026.
Will all Morrisons employees receive the wage increase?
The agreement applies to supermarket and manufacturing colleagues covered under the national USDAW agreement.
What is the one-off payment for Morrisons workers?
Eligible hourly-paid employees will receive a one-off payment between £25 and £175 depending on contracted working hours.
Is Morrisons paying above the National Living Wage?
Yes. Morrisons will pay above the National Living Wage after the staged increases are fully implemented.
Which supermarkets currently follow the ‘£13 rule’?
Retailers including Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Primark, M&S and Sainsbury’s have all introduced pay rates close to or above £13 per hour.
Why are supermarkets increasing wages across the UK?
Supermarkets are increasing wages due to inflation, recruitment challenges, labour shortages and competition for workers.