Key Points
- Aldi commits a further £1.6bn to accelerate store expansion plan over the next two-years; 21 new stores opening in the next 13 weeks
- Prices lowered on over 900 products so far this year, with more to follow
- Annual sales to 31st December 2024 rise to record £18.1bn
Aldi is pressing ahead with rapid expansion after unveiling record investment plans worth £1.6 billion alongside a modest uplift in annual sales.
The discounter confirmed it will open 80 stores over the next two years (2026–27), with 21 set to launch before the end of this year in locations including Shoreditch, Durham and Kirkintilloch. The programme is part of Aldi’s ambition to scale from its current 1,060 stores to 1,500 nationwide.
The investment announcement came as Aldi published results for the year ending December 2024. Group sales (for UK & Ireland) rose slightly to £18.1bn (2023: £17.9bn), while operating profit fell to £435.5m from £552.9m, reflecting continued price cuts, pay increases for staff and infrastructure spending.
As of 7 September, Aldi’s market share is 10.7 per cent, with sales up 4.7 per cent year-on-year in the 12-week period.
Aldi said the £1.6bn expansion would create thousands of jobs and more opportunities for British suppliers. Last year it spent £14bn with UK producers and reaffirmed its commitment to sourcing British food regardless of future trade deals.
CEO Giles Hurley said the retailer remained focused on keeping prices low as households face ongoing pressures. “Nobody else is making the same commitment to everyday low prices – no clubs, no gimmicks, no tricks – just prices our customers can trust,” he said.
The supermarket also highlighted its colleague investment, with two pay rises this year taking minimum hourly rates to £13.02 nationally and £14.35 inside the M25.
With seven in 10 households now shopping at Aldi, Hurley said the business was “more determined than ever” to bring its model to more communities.