Aldi has revealed a list of priority areas across the UK where it is looking to build new stores, with it calling on the public to help it find suitable sites.
The discounter has been on a rapid expansion drive in recent years and now has more than 960 stores across the country. This has helped Aldi grow its market share to a record 9%, with analysts suggesting it could soon overtake Morrisons and take its position in the Big Four behind Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda.
Aldi stated that it is looking for freehold town-centre or edge-of-town sites that are around 1.5 acres and near a main road. Each site needs to be able to accommodate a 20,000 sq. ft. store with around 100 parking spaces.
The retailer is offering a finder’s fee for people who recommend a site, including members of the public – which is either 1.5% of a freehold price or 10% of the first year’s rent for leasehold sites.
“By opening more Aldi stores, we can provide affordable, high-quality food to even more people,” said George Brown, National Property Director at Aldi UK.
“But despite our growth in recent years, some people still don’t have access to a local store, which is why it is our mission to continue on with our ambitious growth plans and change that.
“Our finder’s fee is available to anyone who can find Aldi an appropriate property, so we’d encourage people to share any suitable suggestions and get it touch.”
Rival Lidl revealed in April that it was offering a similar finder’s fee to members of the public for helping it to identify sites for new stores.
NAM Implications:
- When one is approaching No.4 in share of market…
- …more than 960 stores are required.
- So, asking the consumer to help find sites…
- …midst the retail carnage of Lockdown.
- (presumably in, or near top-of-mind locations)
- i.e. then every little helps.
- And given the combined shares of Aldi & Lidl…
- …and Lidl also paying finders fees.
- …it is easy to see where UK grocery is heading.
The list of areas Aldi is targeting include:
- Aldershot
- Allestree
- Barry
- Basildon
- Bath
- Birmingham
- Bonnyrigg
- Brentwood
- Cambridge South
- Cathcart
- Cheadle
- Chepstow
- Chesterfield
- Chesterton
- Clarkston
- Coventry
- Crawley
- Dorchester
- Drylaw, Edinburgh
- Formby
- Gerrards Cross/Chalfont St Peter
- Guildford
- Harrogate
- Ladysmill, Falkirk
- Leicester Fosse Park
- Lightwood, Stoke on Trent
- Liverpool
- Meadowhall
- Newcastle Upon Tyne
- North Leeds
- Ossett
- Otley
- Oxford
- Penwortham
- Plymstock
- Rayleigh
- Runcorn
- Saltash
- Scarborough
- Slough
- South Normanton
- St Albans
- Sunderland
- Torquay
- Tunbridge Wells
- Upton
- Warrington
- Warwick
- Wellingborough
- West Didsbury
- Wigan
- Wilmslow
- Wombourne
- Worthing
- York
