The supermarket giant said it is “more determined than ever”
Aldi has revealed plans to pump a record £1.6billion into expansion over the next two years, launching 80 new stores as sales continue to soar. The discount supermarket chain declared it was “more determined than ever” to satisfy the UK’s increasing appetite for budget-friendly groceries as households tighten their belts.
A total of 21 supermarkets will launch within the next 13 weeks, including locations in Shoreditch in London, Durham in the North East, and Kirkintilloch in Scotland. Earlier this year, the retailer identified 20 priority areas where it was actively hunting for premises, including Bromley and Ealing in Greater London, South Shields in Tyne and Wear, and Witney in Oxfordshire.
The chain, which operates 1,060 stores at present, has previously outlined ambitions to expand to 1,500 stores nationwide.
The company stated its growth programme will generate thousands of employment opportunities and provide additional prospects for British suppliers, reports the Express.
Giles Hurley, chief executive officer for Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Shoppers are still finding things difficult and that’s why we’re staying laser focused on doing what Aldi does best – offering customers great quality products at unbeatable prices. No clubs, no gimmicks, no tricks – just prices our customers can trust and quality they can depend on.”
He added: “Since we opened our first UK store over 35 years ago, we’ve brought high-quality, affordable groceries to almost 800 towns and cities, but there are hundreds more communities that don’t have an Aldi nearby. We’re more determined than ever to meet that demand, and that’s why we’re investing a record £1.6billion over the next two years, to bring Aldi prices closer to millions more customers.”
Aldi revealed its investment plans alongside financial results for the 12 months to December 2024, which demonstrated sales rose to £18.1billion.
Nevertheless, profits dropped by more than a fifth to £435.5million, with the decline blamed on investment in price reductions, infrastructure and increased wages.
The supermarket has boosted pay for Store Assistants twice this year. From the beginning of this month, staff now receive a minimum of £13.02 per hour nationally and £14.35 within the M25.
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