Discount war rattles on with Aldi boost

In the latest assault against the big four supermarkets, which last week saw the return of budget retailer Netto to Leeds, Aldi announced plans to invest £600m expanding its UK business.

Store numbers are set to more than double, with 1,000 by 2022, and a new apprenticeship programme which will create at least one new apprenticeship position in each store, per year.

Aldi’s Group managing directors, Matthew Barnes and Roman Heini, announced the plans during a visit by Prime Minister David Cameron to the chain’s headquarters in Warwickshire. He said the plans were a “vote of confidence” in the Conservative’s long-term economic plan.

Aldi opened 42 new stores last year and is on course to open another 54 this year, with another 60-65 new stores planned to open in 2015. The Aldi group now has more than 7,000 stores across three continents and its UK market share stands at 4.8 per cent.

The new jobs will include management roles, both in-store and within Aldi’s offices, as well as in-store and regional distribution centre roles.

Mr Heini said: “As well as growing store numbers, we are investing in our operations to ensure we continue to meet and exceed customer expectations.”

The expansion comes at a time when the major UK supermarkets are cutting back on their plans for new store openings.

Sainsbury’s is due to present the results of a strategic review on Wednesday, when it is expected to announce plans to cut capital expenditure through its focus on the roll-out of convenience stores rather than out-of-town sites.