// Aldi plans to invest over £1 billion into upgraded stores and distribution centres
// Aldi is expected to open 100 new stores across the UK throughout 2020 and 2021
Aldi has committed to investing £1.3 billion into upgraded stores and distribution centres by 2022 after sales surpassed expectations last year.
The discounter saw a 49 per cent increase in pre-tax profits to £271.5 million in the year to December 31.
Sales also rose by 8.3 per cent to £12.3 billion thanks to a rise in new shoppers, up six per cent to 17.6 million in the same year.
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Under its new investment plan, Aldi is expected to open 100 new stores across the UK throughout 2020 and 2021, creating 4000 new jobs next year alongside the 3000 permanent roles created so far in 2020.
This is in addition to its previous plans to create 4000 new jobs across the UK this year as it pushes ahead with plans to open an average of one new store a week between now and Christmas.
The plans are in line with Aldi’s long-term goal of 1200 UK stores by 2025.
Other investments include refitting and upgrading 100 of its stores under the “project fresh” initiative, building new or expanding its distribution centres, and rolling out new innovations such as its “click-and-collect” service which launched earlier this month.
“For over 30 years, our success has been driven by the ever-increasing number of shoppers who put their trust in Aldi every time they shop with us,” Aldi chief executive Giles Hurley said.
“This is what enables us to keep investing in Britain – in our products, our prices, our people and in the communities we serve.
“With the UK’s economic outlook increasingly uncertain, families are more concerned about their grocery bills than ever.
“We’ve seen before that our customers need us most in times of financial hardship, which is why our commitment to remain Britain’s lowest-priced supermarket is more important than ever.”
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