Aldi has announced intentions to launch 40 new stores in the UK this year. The discount retailer plans to invest £370 million in 2026 to open new locations in various areas, including Southam in Warwickshire, Hastings in East Sussex, and Amersham in Buckinghamshire. This initiative is part of a larger £1.6 billion investment program unveiled last year as Aldi aims to reach its target of 1,500 stores in the UK.
Giles Hurley, the Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing high-quality, affordable groceries to all consumers. He highlighted the importance of expanding to areas currently without an Aldi store to fulfill the long-term goal of increasing accessibility to quality, affordable food throughout the UK.
Aldi’s dedication to offering value to shoppers was recognized as it was named the UK’s most economical supermarket for the fifth consecutive year by consumer group Which?. Additionally, the supermarket secured The Grocer’s ‘Super Grocer 33’ award for the seventh time, reaffirming its position as the preferred choice for British consumers seeking value for their grocery purchases.
In a move to support its workforce, Aldi recently announced increased pay rates for store employees, with hourly rates for store assistants set to rise nationally to £13.35 and up to £14.30 with tenure. For employees within the M25 area, the hourly rates will be £14.71, increasing to £15.03 with service, effective March 1, 2026.
Aldi’s commitment to affordability was further validated when it was named the cheapest supermarket of 2025 by Which?, holding the top spot for ten months out of the year. The average price difference between Aldi and Lidl for a 68-item list throughout the year was a mere 77p. In December, Aldi maintained its position as the most cost-effective choice, with an average monthly cost of £123.60 for the 68 items, narrowly beating out Lidl by 10p. Comparatively, Asda averaged £134.89 and Tesco Clubcard members paid £135.84, or £139.12 without a Clubcard, for the same items in December.