Aldi has confirmed that Scotland is one of the areas it is targeting as part of its £1.6bn expansion plan for the UK over the next two years.
In its annual trading update earlier this week, the discounter revealed that it was planning to open 80 stores across 2026 and 2027. In addition to new stores, the record investment will be used to upgrade existing sites and develop the group’s distribution network.
Aldi has now revealed it will spend an estimated £42m over this two-year period adding to its 109 stores in Scotland. The investment will see the retailer bring new sites to Bishopbriggs and Dumbarton, with some current stores – including Greenock, Paisley, Stirling and Linlithgow – also set to receive upgrades. Aldi also stated that it is looking for sites in Glasgow, Bonnyrigg and Clarkston to open new stores over the coming years.
Aldi, which currently has 1,060 outlets, has previously stated that its long-term plan is to reach 1,500 stores in the UK.
“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,” said Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer for Aldi UK and Ireland.
“Nobody else is making the same commitment to everyday low prices – no clubs, no gimmicks, no tricks – just prices our customers can trust and quality they can depend on.
“Since we opened our first UK store more than 35 years ago, we’ve brought high-quality, affordable groceries to almost 800 towns and cities, but there are hundreds more communities that don’t have an Aldi nearby.
“We’re more determined than ever to meet that demand, and that’s why we’re investing a record £1.6bn over the next two years, to bring Aldi prices closer to millions more customers.”
NAM Implications:
- Aldi appears to have no let-up plans in their ambition to reach 1,500 stores in the UK.
- (although the cannibalisation threat will increase as the number of Aldi outlets builds)
- That said, it might be worth some what-ifs re the impact on your business…
- …if their plans succeed.
