Asda has increased its hourly rate for store-based workers from today, (July 5) following a previous rise in April. On April 1, the supermarket chain boosted the hourly rate for workers outside the M25 from £12.60 to £12.71.

Those working inside the M25 saw hourly pay jump from £13.82 to £13.93. The increases were the first part of a two-step pay uplift, with the second increase coming into effect from today. The hourly rate has now increased to £13.10 for those outside the M25, and to £14.35 for those working within it. Asda, which has more than 1,000 stores across the country, said at the time of the phased increase announcement that it would result in 110,000 hourly‑paid retail colleagues receiving a 4% above‑inflation pay rise.

The pay reward represented an £80million investment, the chain said.

James Goodman, chief people officer, Asda, said at the time: “I’m pleased we’ve been able to give them an above‑inflation pay award and invest in this way. I’d also like to thank them for their continued hard work and commitment to making Asda better every day.”

Asda is among a number of other supermarkets that announced increases to the hourly rate for shop floor workers to retain and attract staff, as cost-of-living pressures continue to hit British households.

For example, Sainsbury’s brought in an above-inflation pay increase of 5% for hourly paid workers from March, with hourly pay rising to £13.23 per hour nationally, whilst in London it rose to £14.54 per hour.

In London, entry-level store workers saw their pay upped to £14.80 per hour, while the hourly rate for experienced staff can rise up to £15.35.

The following month, Store Assistants working at Aldi’s UK branches also saw their pay boosted (to £13.50 per hour nationally, with those working inside in the M25 getting £14.88).

These pay rates rise to £14.47 and £15.20 respectively based on length of service. Others major chains improved pay included Lidl, Primark, Morrisons, Waitrose, and Tesco.

Lidl has announced a major £500million commitment that will shape how it sources British berries over the next five years, in a move that aims to strengthen ties with UK growers and boost homegrown produce available on supermarket shelves. The discount retailer said the investment is part of new long-term agreements with British berry suppliers, designed to give farmers greater stability at a time when the sector is under pressure from rising costs, labour shortages and unpredictable weather conditions.

Under the plan, Lidl will increase the volume of UK-grown berries sold in its stores, with the £500million figure representing the total value of sourcing contracts expected over the next five years. The move comes as the German-based retailer reported that demand for berries at its supermarkets continues to grow, with sales of British blueberries having increased by more than 200% and blackberry sales by almost 93% over the past three years. Volumes of its Deluxe Blush Strawberries range, meanwhile, increased by 50% last year.

Lidl said it recorded the largest year-on-year increase in berry sales in the market last year and was recently named British Berry Retailer of the Year, according to the Grocery Gazette.

According to British Berry Growers chair, Nick Marston, Lidl’s British berry volumes increased from around 11,500 tonnes in 2023 to more than 15,700 tonnes in 2025 – a growth of more than 36% in two seasons. He added that the retailer now accounts for around 12.6% of all British berry tonnage sold through the industry body’s members.

“We are backing British farming with a £500million vote of confidence in our British berry growers,” said Lidl GB chief commercial officer, Richard Bourns. “By extending our long-term agreements, we’re providing the security suppliers need to build a resilient future.

“It is our clear ambition to be the first-choice partner for British growers. By building a framework providing long-term security, we enable our growers to confidently invest, innovate and scale alongside us.

“And by investing in these partnerships we are making fresh, healthy produce more accessible to our customers – offering the best British berries at unbeatable prices.”

Fans of a British beer brand have expressed their disappointment after it was pulled from supermarket shelves. The range of pale ales, IPAs and stouts was sold at Asda, as well as in smaller and independent alcohol retailers. However, after the brewery went bust, supply to UK supermarkets has been paused. Overtone Brewing Co., based in Scotland, announced it entered liquidation last week. 

The company became known for its unique craft beers, packaged in eye-catching designs. The brand is set to be taken over by a new owner, but it has paused beer supply to supermarkets and smaller shops for the time being. A notice was published in The Gazette on Tuesday, revealing that liquidators were appointed on February 13. George Dylan Lafferty, an insolvency practitioner of Begbies Traynor, has been appointed Provisional Liquidator of Overtone Brewing Ltd, the notice revealed. 

Fans and suppliers have shared their disappointment in the news. One shop that sold Overtone beer, The Wee Beer Shop, shared a post on social media about the liquidation news. 

“What a shame – they produced some of the best IPAs in the UK a few years ago,” the post reads. 

“If you have a hankering to try one last beer, their latest – Stovies – is as good as some of the ones they brewed in the past. I still have cans for sale.”

Another customer shared: “Awful news, I loved Overtone. Normally, they’re the only decent craft on draft down in Ayr.”

No formal closure of the brewery has been announced, but it has been confirmed that it’s pausing beer supply to supermarkets and off-licences across the country, with no return date announced. 

When searched on Google, it is labelled as temporarily closed. “Overtone is undergoing liquidation, but a new owner will continue to operate the brewery and brand in the future,” a spokesperson said.

Another customer called it “awful news”, while another simply said: “Sad times”. 

Liquidation is a legal process to help a company sell off its assets. Most of the time, the final result is the closure of the company and a cease in trading and/or operations. 

The money raised from selling off these assets is then used to pay creditors when they can no longer otherwise pay.