Alright, Lidl Poland’s just dropped the news: big raises are coming in 2025. The retail giant’s putting up PLN 200 million for bigger paychecks and more jobs. Sounds like a win, right? But how much are employees actually pocketing? And let’s be real – how does it stack up against what Lidl pays in London? Spoiler: it’s a bit of a shocker.
The Numbers in Poland
From January, here’s the new gross salary lineup:
- Cashiers: PLN 5,250 to 6,450 gross.
- Warehouse workers: PLN 5,500 to 7,200 gross.
- Store managers: At least PLN 7,850 gross, plus they get a company car.
And Lidl’s still throwing in perks – private healthcare, group insurance, MultiSport cards, even accident insurance for your kids and grandkids. Nice, but let’s talk about what really matters: the net pay.
After taxes and all the deductions, the actual take-home looks like this:
- PLN 5,250 gross turns into about PLN 3,800 net.
- PLN 6,450 gross? You’re looking at around PLN 4,600 net.
So, while the gross sounds impressive, the net reminds us it’s Poland, not paradise.
London Lidl: The Big League
Now, let’s peek at London. Over there, Lidl’s starting hourly wage is £12.85 – which for a full-timer means about £2,000 net per month. That’s PLN 10,500 net in Polish zlotys. For comparison, that’s more than double what cashiers in Poland take home.
The Reality Check
We get it – the UK’s cost of living is sky-high. But let’s not pretend Polish Lidl employees wouldn’t be doing backflips for London-level pay. The gap’s wild, even if Lidl Poland’s raises make them one of the top players in the local retail game.
Lidl vs. Biedronka
With inflation still biting and workers not settling for crumbs, Lidl’s move is smart – but don’t think for a second that Biedronka won’t clap back with their own pay hikes soon. This isn’t just a fight for customers anymore; it’s about who can lock down the best employees.
