Aldi Plans to Double UK Store Numbers by 2021

16 June 2014 --- Discount grocery retailer has pledged to double its UK store estate in the next seven years. The retailer said it plans to increase store numbers to 1000 in the UK, as its sales increase continue to threaten grocery giants such as Tesco and Asda.

The retailer plans to open 50 to 65 stores a year, according to the company. It also plans to upgrade its existing stores as it continues to put pressure on the big four grocers (Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury and Morrisons), as it continues to steal share of the market.

The German discount chain has seen year-on-year growth with sales up more than 35% in the past year, while the UK’s biggest supermarkets have been struggling. Tesco’s sales fell 3.1% in the past year and Morrisons were down 3.9%.

Joint managing director of Aldi, Matthew Barnes, said: “For the foreseeable future, 65 new stores a year is not out of the question. We think 1,000 stores is an absolute possibility.”