Aldi has created a new national real estate team as it looks to deliver its plan to open 500 new stores across the UK.
The German discount supermarket recently revealed a long-term plan to operate 1,500 UK stores and the distribution network to service them in a bid to meet growing demand from Brits for more affordable groceries amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Its new centralised team, headed by managing director of real estate, Jonathan Neale is being aided by Colliers as the company’s national advisors.
The supermarket typically looks for freehold town-centre or edge-of-town sites of around 1.5 acres and can accommodate a 20,000 sq ft store with approximately 100 parking spaces.
It is “particularly interested” in sites in London and the South East, where it wants to open 200 new stores, but is also eyeing sites in areas from Glasgow to Worthing.
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Jonathan Neale said: “This year we opened our landmark 1,000th store and we have the most ambitious expansion plans of any major supermarket. Centralising our Real Estate Team and making it easier for the real estate sector to deal with Aldi is the first step in accelerating progress towards our goal of opening a further 500 new stores. We have clear, consistent requirements and want to partner with land-owners, landlords and developers.
“Listening to the sector, we know that our new national team will make it easier for people to work with us. We are now set up to have the kind of agility needed to find and deliver the sites and schemes that will help us to bring our amazing quality and unbeatable value to every town and community in the country.”
Earlier this week Aldi predicted a record-breaking Christmas this year, with more UK households expected to shop with the discounter amid the cost-of-living crisis.
The retailer estimates that more than half of British households will eat at least one Aldi product this Christmas.
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