From January 2026, the largest retail chains in Poland include: Lidl, Aldi and Kaufland will introduce salary increases for the crews of their stores, distribution centers and offices. There are also plans to increase employment. We checked what employees of popular stores can count on next year.
The beginning of the year is the moment when many companies plan to increase the salaries of their teams and expand their staff due to the development of their business. This also applies to retail chains.
PLN 240 million for pay raises and employment growth
One of those where more money will be transferred to employees' accounts from January is Lidl Polska. Its management announced salary increases and the creation of new jobs in stores, warehouses and the company's headquarters for next year.
From the next month, employees of Lidl stores will earn from PLN 5,600 to 6,750 gross, while employees of distribution centers will earn from PLN 6,000 to 7,700 gross. In turn, supermarket managers can count on salaries ranging from PLN 8,500 gross. The latter can also use company cars. The position held will determine the amount of the raise.
– Additionally, due to the development of our network, we plan to further increase employment. We will allocate a total of over PLN 240 million for salary increases and the creation of new positions in 2026 – says Włodzimierz Wlaźlak, president of Lidl Polska.
– We also guarantee equal pay in equivalent positions, regardless of factors such as gender or age. – adds Anna Dębicka-Rasiak, Member of the Management Board for HR at Lidl Polska.
Contract without trial period
From January 2026, Aldi employees can also count on higher earnings. The raises will apply to all sales and logistics positions. A store employee will be able to earn from PLN 5,700 to PLN 6,450 gross, and a store manager – depending on seniority and experience – may see a salary ranging from PLN 7,850 to PLN 9,350 gross. At the same time, the company maintains a system of regular seniority increases, which enables further salary increases in subsequent years of employment.
Whereas the wages of warehouse workers in Aldi distribution centers will range from PLN 5,700 to PLN 6,300 gross from next year. Additionally In addition to the basic salary, picking employees can count on bonuses of up to PLN 2,500 gross per month.
There are also plans to increase remuneration for office workers, which will depend on the results achieved.
Moreover, from January 2026, every network employee will receive monthly top-ups for prepaid cards in the amount of PLN 400which he will be able to use for everyday shopping in Aldi stores. The company additionally rewards employees through an employee referral program and anniversary awards.
Next year, the chain also plans to expand its team by several hundred people in the area of sales and logistics. All new employees are hired without a trial period, and after one year of work they receive a contract for an indefinite period.
Wage increase by 30% in five years.
From January 2026, the earnings of Kaufland Polska employees employed in the positions of salesperson/cashier and cleaning employee will also increase. After the changes, salaries will range from PLN 5,300 to PLN 6,200 gross.
From March next year, pay increases will also apply to employees of other departments, including: logistics and offices. However, detailed information on the scope and schedule of changes will be presented only in February.
The company also provides the crew with group life and personal accident insurance, which also covers family members and partners of employees. According to Kaufland representatives, the total wage increase there has exceeded 30 percent over the last five years.
