Asda reports year-on-year improvement in gender pay gap
Asda has published its 2024 Gender Pay Report, revealing a year-on-year reduction in its median pay gap. The latest figures show that the median hourly pay gap between male and female colleagues has decreased to 4%, down from 5% in 2023.
The report highlights that 92% of Asda’s workforce – its hourly-paid retail store colleagues – continue to have a 0% median gender pay gap, ensuring pay parity for the majority of employees. However, the mean hourly pay gap increased slightly from 6% in 2023 to 7% in 2024, reflecting differences in pay at the higher end of the organisation.
Asda’s gender pay gap remains below national average
Despite the slight rise in the mean gender pay gap, Asda’s figures remain significantly below the UK national average, which stands at 13.1% (median) and 13.8% (mean), according to the Office for National Statistics.
With 37% of Asda’s senior leadership team now women, the retailer continues to invest in supporting female progression within the business. This represents a small decrease from 38% in 2023, highlighting an area where further progress is needed.
Commitment to inclusion and career development
Asda is actively working to improve career progression for female colleagues through initiatives such as its Intentional Allyship Programme, which has supported over 800 colleagues since its launch in 2022. The retailer is also expanding routes into retail for women, with 47% of its early career hires in 2024 being female, including participants in Asda’s Graduate Retail Store Manager Programme.
Hayley Tatum MBE, Asda’s Chief People & Corporate Affairs Officer, commented:
“We’re committed to fostering an inclusive culture where every colleague can thrive and reach their full potential. While we’re making progress in reducing the pay gap, we know more work is needed, particularly when it comes to helping female colleagues move into more senior roles. One of the ways we’re doing this is by offering a range of development opportunities that are equipping women from diverse backgrounds with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to progress in their careers at Asda.”
In addition to gender pay equality, Asda continues to enhance its inclusive policies. In November 2024, the retailer introduced a Neonatal Care Leave policy, providing additional leave and pay for employees whose babies require neonatal care – reinforcing its commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive working environment.
