Food retailer Aldi is to open a further 130 new stores between 2019 and 2020 and is looking at opening three new regional distribution centres in Sheppey, Sawley and Bedford as well as extending existing centres in Darlington and Bathgate.
The planned expansion is to create 5,000 new jobs over the next two years.
Last year Aldi announced a £1 billion investment during 2017 and 2018 to open new stores in every part of the UK alongside hundreds of store upgrades and extended distribution centres. It says it is firmly on course to hit this target.
“The revolution in British grocery shows no sign of slowing,” said Aldi UK and Ireland chief executive officer Giles Hurley.
Aldi has also switched its sourcing to 100 per cent British produce on dozens of grocery lines, including mushrooms, potatoes and seasonal spinach. It already sources its core range of fresh meat, eggs, milk, butter and cream from British suppliers.
Hurley said: “Our future investment plans underline our continued commitment to growing responsibly in the UK. That means having a positive and lasting impact on the economies where we operate and improving the lives of British people. Our fundamental purpose remains – to bring outstanding quality groceries at the lowest prices for our customers, creating jobs and supporting British farming and manufacturing.”
