Lidl Ireland has reported a 3.8% mean gender pay gap – a significant decrease of 26.9% from its 5.2% gender pay gap reported in 2024 and a reduction of almost half since 2023. The retailer has consistently reported positive trends with its mean pay gap which now sits around two thirds (66%) less than the average pay gap in Ireland of 11.2% as reported by PWC in 2024.
Gender pay gap is the difference between the average hourly pay rate of male and female employees. Lidl has a gender-neutral pay policy, meaning men and women are paid the same rate at the same levels in hourly and salaried roles.
Lidl has made significant progress in the progression of female talent into key leadership roles in recent years. Having decreased its mean gap by a staggering 46% in just two years, the retailer has committed to tangible actions to eliminate its mean gender pay gap.
Initiatives include its award-winning Leadership Academy, talent forums to reduce the risk of gender bias and the roll out of female-focused HR policies developed to support women at every stage of life including menopause supports, compassionate leave for miscarriage and early pregnancy loss and the Lupilu family leave programme designed to support those looking to start a family while also achieving their career potential.
Lidl is also a founding member of LEAD Network Ireland Chapter. LEAD Network’s goal is to attract, retain and advance women in the retail and consumer goods industry through education, leadership and male allyship and offer a wide variety of resources, events and best practice case studies developed by members for members.
Speaking at the announcement, Maeve McCleane, Chief People Officer & Board Executive at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, said:
“We are pleased to see a reduction once again this year in our mean gender pay gap dropping from 5.2% to 3.8%, which is two thirds less than the average gender pay gap in Ireland in 2024.
We strongly believe in the positive impact that a zero gender pay gap can have, not only on our own colleagues, but Ireland’s society and economy. With our focus firmly set on reducing our gender pay gap to zero, we are resolute in our ongoing commitment to attracting, developing and retaining a more diverse and inclusive team that is reflective of our customer base.
We’ve heavily invested in offering industry-leading benefits to our employees as well as a suite of other inclusive and supportive policies, further creating an environment where colleagues' holistic needs are prioritised.
We’re delighted to report tangible progress in our pay gap this year and we’re committed to continuing on our journey to a 0% mean pay gap with policies, supports and programmes that have real impact in our colleagues’ lives and career trajectory for many years to come.”
In February, Lidl Ireland announced an €8 million investment in pay increases for its existing workforce and, since 2022, has invested €47 million in pay rises for employees in the Republic of Ireland with colleagues benefitting from an approximate 23.5% cumulative increase in that time frame, or an average €8,000 in additional take home pay during the height of the cost-of-living crisis.
In 2015, Lidl was the first nationwide company in Ireland to commit to paying the Living Wage and has committed to match it ever since.
Lidl Ireland is the only supermarket retailer to be a certified Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute for a fifth year in a row. The Top Employer accreditation is a globally recognised and highly sought-after certification held by international brands such as Heineken, Puma & PepsiCo. It showcases an organisation’s dedication to a better world of work, exhibited through excellent HR policies and people practices.
Earlier this month, Lidl Ireland was awarded the Investors in Diversity Bronze accreditation, recognising the retailer’s efforts in embedding fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion and engagement across its operations.
Lidl employs 6,000 people across its 190 stores and 3 regional distribution centres in Mullingar, Charleville and Newbridge and Dublin Head Office.
