Aldi has announced intentions to launch 40 new stores across the UK in the current year. The discount supermarket chain is set to allocate £370 million toward 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 investment program totaling £1.6 billion over two years that was disclosed last year as Aldi moves closer to its objective of operating 1,500 stores in the UK. Notable new store openings in 2025 encompass locations like Kirkintilloch in East Dunbartonshire, Eastbourne in East Sussex, Fulham Broadway in London, and Deeside in Wales.
Giles Hurley, the Chief Executive Officer at Aldi UK and Ireland, emphasized the company’s commitment to offering high-quality and affordable groceries to all. He highlighted the expansion strategy for 2026 as a means to cater to areas currently lacking an Aldi store, aligning with the long-term goal of reaching 1,500 stores nationwide. Aldi’s focus on providing accessible, quality food at affordable prices underscores their dedication to customers throughout the UK.
Aldi’s continuous efforts in providing value to customers have been recognized, with the chain being acknowledged as the UK’s most economical supermarket by consumer group Which? for the fifth consecutive year. Additionally, Aldi secured The Grocer’s ‘Super Grocer 33’ accolade for the seventh time, reinforcing its reputation as the top choice for British consumers in terms of value.
Recently, Aldi unveiled a raise in pay rates for its store employees, with national store assistant rates climbing to £13.35 per hour and up to £14.30 with tenure. For those working within the M25 area, rates will be £14.71 per hour, rising to £15.03 with service, effective from March 1, 2026. This move follows Aldi’s recognition as the cheapest supermarket in 2025 by Which? consumer rights magazine, with consistent affordability throughout the year.
In December 2025, Aldi maintained its position as the most cost-effective supermarket, with a shopping basket of 68 items averaging at £123.60 for the month. Comparatively, Lidl was close behind with an average cost of £123.70 for both members and non-members of Lidl Plus. The average expense for the same items at Asda stood at £134.89, while Tesco Clubcard members would have paid £135.84, or £139.12 without a Clubcard, demonstrating Aldi’s competitive pricing edge in the market.