Aldi’s expansion plans include opening 40 new stores in the UK this year, with a £370 million investment. Locations for the new stores include Southam in Warwickshire, Hastings in East Sussex, and Amersham in Buckinghamshire. This initiative is part of Aldi’s broader £1.6 billion two-year investment strategy to reach its goal of operating 1,500 stores in the UK.
Giles Hurley, Aldi UK and Ireland’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing high-quality, affordable groceries to all customers. The supermarket aims to address areas without Aldi stores through its 2026 expansion plans, striving to make quality, affordable food accessible to more people across the UK.
Aldi’s dedication to affordability has been recognized, with the supermarket named the UK’s cheapest by consumer group Which? for the fifth consecutive year. Winning The Grocer’s ‘Super Grocer 33’ survey for the seventh time further solidifies Aldi’s reputation as the best value option for British shoppers. Additionally, Aldi is increasing its pay rates for store colleagues, with hourly rates set to rise nationally and within the M25 area starting from March 1, 2026.
In 2025, Aldi maintained its position as the cheapest supermarket for ten months, outperforming competitors like Lidl. The average monthly price difference between Aldi and Lidl was just 77p over the year. In December, Aldi continued to offer the best value, with a shopping basket of 68 items costing on average £123.60, slightly lower than Lidl’s £123.70 cost for the same items. Comparatively, Asda and Tesco had higher average costs for the 68-item basket in December.
Aldi’s consistent focus on affordability and quality has earned it accolades and recognition as a top choice for consumers seeking value in their grocery shopping.