Aldi has announced a record £1.6 billion expansion plan that will see the discounter open 80 new stores across Britain between 2026 and 2027. The move comes as the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket looks to meet fast growing demand for affordable groceries while strengthening its distribution backbone.
The retailer confirmed the plans on 17 September as part of its annual trading update, setting out how the investment will stretch beyond new stores. A large slice will also go into upgrading existing sites and expanding logistics capacity to handle higher volumes. With shoppers still battling tight household budgets, Aldi is betting big on the simple formula that has powered its rise – everyday low prices and a straightforward offer.
Aiming for 1,500 Stores Nationwide
Right now Aldi has 1,060 stores across the UK, but the chain has been clear on its ambition for more than that. The goal is to push on to 1,500 sites in the coming years, and this £1.6bn pledge is a major step on that journey. In total, 80 new stores are in the pipeline for 2026 and 2027, with thousands of new jobs attached. British suppliers are also expected to benefit as the discounter scales up volumes and broadens its network.
The list of upcoming store towns reflects a blend of city catchments and smaller, underserved communities. Among the names are Kentish Town, Edgware Road and Willesden in London, as well as Watford, Orpington, Ashford and Hastings. Further north, openings are lined up in Driffield, Northallerton and Malton. Aldi is also reaching into coastal and regional towns such as Exmouth in Devon, Egremont in Cumbria and Newport on the Isle of Wight. Each location brings the brand closer to customers who, until now, may have travelled long distances for its stores.
Staying Firm on Low Prices
Speaking on the update, Giles Hurley, CEO of Aldi UK & Ireland, underlined the retailer’s stance: “Shoppers are still finding things difficult and that’s why we’re staying laser-focused on doing what Aldi does best – offering customers great quality products at unbeatable prices.”
Hurley stressed that Aldi’s approach stands apart from rivals’ loyalty schemes or price gimmicks. Instead, the discounter remains fixed on a price promise shoppers can rely on. “No clubs, no tricks – just prices customers can trust, and quality they can depend on,” he said. Since opening its first UK store more than 35 years ago, Aldi has expanded into almost 800 towns and cities, yet Hurley noted there are “hundreds more communities” without a branch nearby.
Strong Sales and Growing Market Share
Behind this bold expansion lies steady growth in the numbers. Aldi reported sales of £18.1bn for the year ending December 2024, edging up from £17.9bn the year before. More recently, the chain has accelerated again, with its market share now standing at 10.8%, according to Kantar Worldpanel. Earlier in 2025 Aldi overtook Asda, becoming the UK’s third-largest supermarket by value of food and drink sales.
The contrast in strategies is notable: while Tesco and Sainsbury’s lean on loyalty cards and Lidl keeps pushing store density, Aldi has doubled down on its core proposition of simplicity and scale.
What It Means for Suppliers and Industry
Aldi’s £1.6bn plan isn’t just about shoppers, it will shake up the supply side too. Every new store needs people to run it and shelves to keep stocked, so that means more local hiring and more contracts for food and goods. The upgrades to depots and transport will also open doors for hauliers, warehouse operators and packaging firms who can step in to handle the bigger flow.
For suppliers, from fresh produce farms to FMCG brands, it could mean a bigger slice of business – but also the pressure of keeping up with Aldi’s pace and tight standards. In short, the rollout is going to pull a lot of the wider grocery trade into motion, not just Aldi itself.
What It Means for Suppliers and Industry
For the wider grocery ecosystem, Aldi’s £1.6bn rollout will create ripple effects. New stores demand more local staff and new supply contracts. Distribution hubs and logistics upgrades will bring opportunities for hauliers, warehousing partners and packaging providers. FMCG brands and fresh produce growers that can meet Aldi’s volume and quality standards stand to benefit as well.
At the same time, the investment highlights just how much the UK retail balance is shifting toward discounters. Aldi and Lidl together already account for a hefty share of the market, and their reach is only set to widen.
Looking Ahead
With 80 new stores on the way and record spending lined up, Aldi is laying down a clear marker. It is not just expanding for the sake of size – the chain is positioning itself to bring its value-led offer into places where it currently has no footprint.
For rival grocers, the message is equally clear. The competition for shopper loyalty will only intensify as Aldi spreads further across the country. But for millions of households still feeling the squeeze, the discounter’s push may be arriving at just the right moment.
