Aldi has announced its intention to launch 40 new stores in the UK this year. The discount retailer plans to invest £370 million in opening new locations, including Southam in Warwickshire, Hastings in East Sussex, and Amersham in Buckinghamshire. This initiative is part of a broader £1.6 billion two-year investment strategy unveiled last year as Aldi aims to reach its target of operating 1,500 stores in the UK.
Recent store openings in 2025 encompassed locations such as Kirkintilloch in East Dunbartonshire, Eastbourne in East Sussex, Fulham Broadway in London, and Deeside in Wales.
Giles Hurley, Aldi UK and Ireland’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing high-quality, affordable groceries to all consumers. He highlighted the ongoing expansion plans for 2026, aimed at addressing areas without Aldi stores and progressing towards the long-term goal of 1,500 UK stores. Aldi’s mission is to ensure that access to quality, affordable food is a right for everyone in the UK, not a privilege.
Aldi has been recognized as the UK’s most economical supermarket for the fifth consecutive year by consumer advocacy group Which?. Additionally, the supermarket secured The Grocer’s ‘Super Grocer 33’ award for the seventh time in a row, reinforcing its status as the preferred choice for British shoppers in terms of value.
In a recent announcement, Aldi disclosed an increase in pay rates for store staff, with national hourly rates for store assistants rising to £13.35 and up to £14.30 with experience. For employees working within the M25, the rates will be £14.71 per hour, escalating to £15.03 with tenure, effective from March 1, 2026.
Last year, Aldi was consistently the cheapest supermarket, holding the top spot for ten out of 12 months, while Lidl claimed the position twice in July and October. The average price gap between Aldi and Lidl throughout the year was a mere 77p.
In December, Aldi was the most cost-effective option for a selection of 68 items, with an average monthly cost of £123.60. Lidl closely followed, with an average cost of £123.70 for both Lidl Plus members and non-members. In comparison, Asda averaged £134.89 for the same set of items, while Tesco Clubcard members paid £135.84 or £139.12 without a Clubcard.
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