Aldi is set on making a significant investment, pouring more than £550 million into expanding and enhancing its store and distribution network throughout 2024. This ambitious plan encompasses opening new stores across various locations across the UK, alongside modernising existing stores and distribution centres, all geared towards accommodating the company's growth trajectory.
The expansion initiative is poised to generate over 1,500 employment opportunities nationwide, complemented by additional job openings in Aldi's current stores, Regional Distribution Centres, and UK offices. With over 1,000 stores already dotting the UK landscape, Aldi remains steadfast in reaching 1,500 locations, driven by the sustained demand for its distinctive blend of high-quality products at affordable prices.
This strategic move follows Aldi's excellent performance during the recent holiday season and unprecedented investments in British suppliers and growers, who contribute a significant portion of the supermarket's product offerings. With a robust network of approximately 5,000 suppliers in the UK, Aldi has earned acclaim for its fair and transparent supplier relationships, maintaining the top spot in the GSCOP annual survey for ten consecutive years.
Giles Hurley, CEO of Aldi UK and Ireland, underscored the company's dedication to meeting consumer demand by expanding its footprint across underserved regions. As Aldi looks ahead to 2024 and beyond, it remains on the lookout for suitable town-centre or edge-of-town sites, ideally spanning 1.5 acres and capable of accommodating a 20,000-square-foot store with ample parking.
In addition to its expansion endeavours, Aldi demonstrates its commitment to its workforce by implementing a minimum hourly rate of £12, making it the first supermarket to align with the Real Living Wage set by the Living Wage Foundation. This move, part of Aldi's broader £67 million investment in colleague pay, further solidifies its position as an employer of choice, underscored by its provision of paid breaks—a distinctive feature in the UK supermarket landscape.
