Aldi £1.6bn Expansion Plan Targets 80 New UK Stores

Aldi £1.6bn expansion plan will bring 80 new stores across the UK over the next two years.
The discount chain confirmed the record investment for 2026 and 2027 as demand for value groceries continues to rise.
The push is set to create thousands of jobs and lift Aldi closer to its long-term goal of 1,500 stores.

Record Expansion

The £1.6bn spend is Aldi’s biggest ever UK investment.
Work is already underway with 21 new stores due to open in the next 13 weeks.
Sites will include London, Durham and several towns in Scotland.
The chain currently runs just over 1,060 stores but now eyes 1,500 in the coming years, stretching its coverage into new regions.

Sales and Market Share

Annual sales reached £18.1bn in 2024, compared to £17.9bn the year before.
In the first half of 2025 Aldi sales rose 4.8 per cent, giving it a market share of 10.8 per cent.
That puts it ahead of Asda, making Aldi the UK’s third biggest supermarket by value.
Operating profit slipped though, down to £435.5m.
The margin narrowed to 2.4 per cent as the chain pushed more investment into lowering prices and raising staff pay.

Prices and Position

More than 900 products saw price cuts during 2025.
Which? named Aldi the UK’s cheapest supermarket for the fourth year in a row.
The retailer says it doesn’t rely on loyalty schemes or special discounts, only everyday low prices.
Around 7 in 10 households now shop at Aldi, either for full weekly baskets or smaller top-ups.
That steady flow of customers helps the chain keep volumes high and prices down.

Suppliers and Products

Aldi spent £14bn with British suppliers last year.
The retailer said sourcing will remain central to its model.
A new Specially Selected Wagyu beef line is rolling out, supplied by Warrendale Wagyu.
The launch builds on Aldi’s premium tier range while still promising value compared to rivals.

Jobs and Pay

Staff pay has gone up twice in 2025.
Store assistants now earn £13.02 an hour nationally and £14.35 inside the M25.
The chain has been recognised as Employer of the Year at the Grocer Gold Awards 2025.
With the expansion, thousands more jobs are expected across the country.
This adds to Aldi’s position as one of the fastest growing food retailers for employment.

Outlook

The Aldi £1.6bn expansion plan underlines its role as the UK’s leading discount chain.
New stores, low prices, British supplier partnerships and higher pay are reshaping its reach.
For millions of households, Aldi’s wider footprint means cheaper groceries closer to home.