Aldi’s expansion plans include the opening of 40 new stores in the UK this year, with an investment of £370 million. The locations for the new sites will include Southam in Warwickshire, Hastings in East Sussex, and Amersham in Buckinghamshire. This initiative is part of a broader two-year investment program totaling £1.6 billion that Aldi announced last year, aiming to reach its long-term goal of operating 1,500 stores in the UK.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer at Aldi UK and Ireland, emphasized the company’s dedication to providing high-quality and affordable groceries to all customers. He highlighted the importance of addressing areas without an Aldi store through the 2026 expansion plans, as part of the overarching goal to make quality, affordable food accessible to people across the UK.
Aldi’s commitment to affordability and quality has been recognized by consumer groups, with the supermarket being named the UK’s cheapest by Which? for the fifth consecutive year. Additionally, Aldi recently secured The Grocer’s ‘Super Grocer 33’ award for the seventh time, affirming its reputation as the best value option for British shoppers.
In a move to support its workforce, Aldi announced an increase in pay rates for store colleagues, with hourly rates set to rise nationally and within the M25 region. These adjustments, effective from March 1, 2026, aim to further enhance the company’s position as a preferred employer.
Throughout 2025, Aldi consistently outperformed competitors in offering the lowest prices, with Lidl being the only other supermarket to hold the top spot twice during the year. The average price difference between Aldi and Lidl over the year was minimal, reflecting Aldi’s ongoing commitment to providing cost-effective shopping options for consumers.
In December 2025, Aldi maintained its position as the cheapest supermarket for a selection of 68 items, with an average monthly cost of £123.60. Lidl closely followed with an average cost of £123.70 for the same items. Comparatively, Asda and Tesco Clubcard members paid £134.89 and £135.84, respectively, for the identical basket of goods, emphasizing Aldi’s consistent value proposition.
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