Aldi’s expansion plans for the UK in 2026 include the opening of 40 new stores, with an investment of £370 million. Locations earmarked for new sites include Southam in Warwickshire, Hastings in East Sussex, and Amersham in Buckinghamshire. This initiative is part of a larger £1.6 billion two-year investment strategy announced last year as Aldi aims to reach its target of 1,500 stores in the UK.
Giles Hurley, CEO of Aldi UK and Ireland, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing high-quality, affordable groceries to all. The ongoing expansion aims to fill gaps in areas currently without an Aldi store, aligning with the long-term goal of enhancing accessibility to quality, affordable food across the UK.
Aldi’s reputation as the UK’s lowest-priced supermarket has been reinforced by recent accolades, including being named the cheapest supermarket by consumer group Which? for the fifth consecutive year. Additionally, Aldi secured top rankings in The Grocer’s ‘Super Grocer 33’ survey, affirming its position as the best value option for British shoppers.
In a move to further support its workforce, Aldi announced increased pay rates for store colleagues, with hourly rates set to rise nationally to £13.35 and up to £14.30 with service. For those within the M25 area, rates will range from £14.71 to £15.03 with service, effective from March 1, 2026.
Throughout 2025, Aldi consistently outperformed competitors in offering the lowest prices, as confirmed by Which? consumer rights magazine. Lidl briefly held the title of cheapest supermarket in July and October last year, but Aldi maintained its lead for the majority of the year, with just a 77p difference on average monthly prices between the two. In December, Aldi retained its cost-effective position, offering a list of 68 items for an average monthly cost of £123.60, closely followed by Lidl at £123.70. Comparatively, Asda and Tesco Clubcard members paid higher average costs of £134.89 and £135.84, respectively, without the Clubcard discount.