Member Article

Aldi plans to create 35,000 jobs and double number of UK stores

German discount supermarket Aldi plans to create 35,000 new jobs in Britain and almost double the total number of stores over the next eight years with a £600 million investment in the UK.

The news was announced by David Cameron during a visit to Aldi’s HQ in Warwickshire.

The supermarket aims to have 1,000 stores by 2022 and will open 54 this year and 60 to 65 next year.

The new jobs, Aldi said, would include a range of management roles as well as in-store and regional distribution centre jobs.

Matthew Barnes, group managing director of Aldi UK, added: “Our expansion plans mean that we can accommodate growing shopper numbers, while ensuring that there is an Aldi store only a short drive away from people, no matter where they live in the country.

“We are opening our doors across the UK, making it even easier for people to shop and save with us.”

David Cameron said: “Aldi’s plans to create tens of thousands more jobs across the country are a vote of confidence in our long-term economic plan to back business, create more jobs and secure a brighter future for Britain.

“This news will mean more financial security for hardworking families and opportunities for young people who want to get on in life.”

Along with its fellow German counterpart Lidl, the chain has been putting the “big four” supermarket chains under pressure with lower prices that have proved popular with consumers.

According to Kantar Worldpanel, Aldi has a 4.8% share of the UK grocery market, higher than Lidl’s 3.5% and closing in on Waitrose’s 5.1% share.

Tesco has a 28.8% share and Asda comes in second with 17.4% for the 12 weeks to September.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .