Aldi’s plan to launch 40 new stores in the UK this year has been unveiled. The discount retailer is set to allocate £370 million for opening new establishments in various locations such as Southam in Warwickshire, Hastings in East Sussex, and Amersham in Buckinghamshire.
This initiative is part of a broader investment scheme totaling £1.6 billion over two years, as Aldi aims to achieve its target of establishing 1,500 stores in the UK. Notable new stores that opened in 2025 include 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 providing high-quality, affordable groceries to all consumers. He stressed the importance of expanding into areas without Aldi stores, aligning with the long-term objective of reaching 1,500 stores to ensure accessibility to quality, affordable food for customers nationwide.
Aldi’s dedication to offering competitive prices was recognized as the supermarket was named the UK’s most affordable by consumer watchdog Which? for the fifth consecutive year. Additionally, Aldi secured the top spot in The Grocer’s ‘Super Grocer 33’ survey, highlighting its consistent value for British shoppers.
The supermarket also announced an increase in pay rates for store employees, with hourly rates rising nationally to £13.35 for store assistants and up to £14.30 with service. For those working within the M25, hourly rates will range from £14.71 to £15.03 with service, effective from March 1, 2026.
Aldi’s reputation as the cheapest supermarket was further solidified in 2025, with the brand outperforming competitors in pricing for most months. The average monthly price gap between Aldi and Lidl throughout the year was a mere 77p, showcasing Aldi’s consistent affordability.
In December, Aldi maintained its position as the cheapest supermarket for a list of 68 items, with an average monthly cost of £123.60. Lidl followed closely behind, costing just 10p more at £123.70. In comparison, Asda’s average cost for the same items was £134.89, while Tesco Clubcard members paid £135.84, or £139.12 without a Clubcard.
Choose Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for instant access to your preferred news content.