Aldi Unveils Major UK Expansion Strategy for 2026
The discount supermarket giant Aldi has announced an ambitious expansion programme that will see 40 new stores open across the United Kingdom in 2026. This significant growth initiative forms part of a substantial £370 million investment that the retailer is committing to its national network.
Targeting Underserved Communities
Birmingham and various locations across the West Midlands have been identified among the initial sites selected for this expansion wave. The development represents a crucial component of Aldi's broader £1.6 billion two-year investment strategy, previously announced, as the company progresses toward its long-term objective of operating 1,500 stores nationwide.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer at Aldi UK and Ireland, emphasised the company's mission: "Our unwavering commitment is to make high-quality, affordable groceries accessible to everybody. We recognise that there are still areas without an Aldi store, so our expansion plans for 2026 are designed to address some of these gaps."
Addressing the Grocery Price Gap
The announcement follows recent Aldi research indicating that families in over 200 British towns face additional annual grocery expenses of approximately £2,437 due to the absence of a value supermarket within convenient distance. This expansion directly targets these underserved communities.
Aldi's value proposition has received consistent recognition, with the consumer champion Which? naming it Britain's most cost-effective supermarket for five consecutive years. Furthermore, the retailer recently secured The Grocer's 'Super Grocer 33' accolade for the seventh year running, based on price comparisons across leading supermarket chains.
Investment in People and Places
Beyond physical expansion, Aldi has demonstrated commitment to its workforce through recently announced enhanced wage rates effective from 1 March 2026. Store Assistant salaries will increase to £13.35 per hour nationwide (rising to £14.30 with experience), with higher rates of £14.71 inside the M25 (increasing to £15.03 with experience).
Regional Expansion Details
The expansion will see new stores opening across multiple regions, with initial confirmed locations including:
- Southam, Warwickshire
- Hastings, East Sussex
- Amersham, Buckinghamshire
This follows recent store openings in locations such as Kirkintilloch in East Dunbartonshire, Eastbourne in East Sussex, Fulham Broadway in London, and Deeside in Wales.
Comprehensive Location Strategy
Aldi has published an extensive list of target locations for future expansion, demonstrating a nationwide approach that includes:
Scotland: Multiple Glasgow locations including Cathcart and Springburn, Edinburgh, Falkirk, and Dumbarton.
Northern England: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Sunderland, York, Harrogate, and Kendal.
Midlands: Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, Derby, Nottingham, and Wolverhampton.
Wales and South West: Swansea, Cardiff, Bristol, Plymouth, and Exeter.
London and South East: Multiple London boroughs including Kensington, Hackney, and Lewisham, plus Brighton, Guildford, and Winchester.
This comprehensive expansion strategy represents one of the most significant retail developments in the UK for 2026, promising to bring Aldi's value proposition to communities currently lacking access to affordable grocery options while creating numerous employment opportunities across the country.
