Aldi to invest £550m in UK network creating over 1,500 jobs
The retailer intends to open new stores across the UK while also upgrading its existing stores and distribution centres.
Aldi said that the new stores due to open this year will create more than 1,500 new jobs, while the improvement project will lead to roles opening up at its current stores, distribution centres and offices.
As it stands, the business operates more than 1,000 stores in the UK but is committed to meeting its long-term target of 1,500 locations.
According to Kantar data, Aldi currently holds a 9.3% share of the British grocery market, making it the fourth largest supermarket retailer. Meanwhile, it works with around 5,000 suppliers across the UK.
In order to meet its targets, Aldi is seeking out freehold town-centre or edge-of-town sites that can accommodate a 20,000 square foot store and around 100 parking spaces. Ideally, the retailer would like a prospective store location to be near a main road and possess good visibility and access.
New plans aim to meet demand
Commenting on the announcement, Aldi UK and Ireland CEO Giles Hurley said: “We’re continuing to welcome more and more new customers through our doors – with people coming for our low prices but staying for our award-winning quality and British sourcing.
“However, there are still areas of the country that don’t have an Aldi, or that need more or larger stores to meet demand. That is what our 2024 expansion plans aim to address. We now have more than 1,000 stores across the UK but there are plenty more Aldi stores still to come, in 2024 and beyond.”
The news comes not long after Aldi confirmed that it would guarantee store and warehouse colleagues at least £12 an hour from 1 February 2024. The new minimum rate makes Aldi the first supermarket to offer rates in line with the Real Living Wage that was set by the Living Wage Foundation in October last year.
In other news, bakery brand Warburtons is set to add a further four electric trucks and two electric vans to its delivery fleet in the UK.
