Aldi has announced intentions to launch 40 new stores in the UK this year. The discount retailer is set to allocate £370 million towards establishing new outlets in various locations such as Southam in Warwickshire, Hastings in East Sussex, and Amersham in Buckinghamshire.
This initiative is part of a broader £1.6 billion investment plan spanning two years, aiming to reach Aldi’s goal of operating 1,500 stores across the UK. Recent store openings in 2025 included locations like Kirkintilloch in East Dunbartonshire, Eastbourne in East Sussex, Fulham Broadway in London, and Deeside in Wales.
Giles Hurley, CEO of Aldi UK and Ireland, emphasized the brand’s commitment to providing high-quality, affordable groceries for all consumers. He noted the expansion plans for 2026 as a strategic move to address areas lacking Aldi stores and progress towards the long-term objective of reaching 1,500 stores nationwide.
Aldi’s dedication to offering quality, affordable food at reasonable prices has earned it recognition as the UK’s most cost-effective supermarket by consumer advocacy group Which? for five consecutive years. Additionally, Aldi secured the top position in The Grocer’s ‘Super Grocer 33’ survey for the seventh consecutive time, highlighting its reputation for offering the best value to British shoppers.
In a recent announcement, Aldi disclosed an increase in pay rates for its store employees, with hourly wages for store assistants rising to £13.35 nationally and up to £14.30 with tenure. For employees within the M25 region, the rates are set at £14.71 per hour, increasing to £15.03 with service, effective from March 1, 2026.
Aldi’s consistent commitment to affordability was underscored by its recognition as the cheapest supermarket in 2025 by Which? magazine, with Aldi claiming the top spot in ten out of the 12 months. The average price difference between Aldi and Lidl throughout the year was a mere 77p, solidifying Aldi’s position as a budget-friendly shopping destination.
In December, Aldi emerged as the most economical choice for a list of 68 items, averaging £123.60 per month. Lidl followed closely behind, costing just 10p more with an average of £123.70 for both Lidl Plus members and non-members. Comparatively, Asda’s total cost for the same items was £134.89, while Tesco Clubcard members paid £135.84 or £139.12 without a Clubcard.