Aldi has unveiled its wish list of top priority locations to open stores across London, including Notting Hill, Chelsea and Richmond as it looks launch more sites.
The move is part of the discount grocer’s long-term plan to operate 1,500 stores across the UK, with a particular interest in shops within the M25 due to strong demand for Aldi in the capital.
The German supermarket is looking to launch another 100 stores across the region under a £500m investment to open stores within the M25, which would create 3,500 new jobs across London.
To help find sites, Adli is offering property agents a finder’s fee of either 1.5% of a freehold price or 10% of the first year’s rent for leasehold sites, for recommending a previously unknown site.
The retailer is searching for locations large enough for its standard 20,000 sq ft stores, which need roughly 100 dedicated parking spaces, and are preferably located on a prominent main road with good visibility and access.
The grocer is also looking for sites to accommodate its Aldi Local store formats, which measure around 5,000 sq ft.
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Some priority locations where Aldi is looking for sites include:
• Bromley
• Beckenham
• Richmond
• Walthamstow
• Wanstead
• Winchmore Hill
• Notting Hill
• Chelsea
• Kensington
• Chiswick
• Highbury
• Hackney
• Barnet
Aldi UK managing director of national real estate Jonathan Neale said: “We want to make high quality, affordable food accessible to all, but there are still many areas in the capital that don’t have access to an Aldi and, as a result, too many people have to make do with big prices at the traditional supermarkets.
“The locations we’ve identified are places where there is demand for our stores and we are committed to continue investing until we can bring our quality products and unbeatable prices to as many people as possible.”
The news follow the German discounter vowing it would “not be beaten on pay” last week as it upped its worker’s pay within the capital to £13.65 an hour, making its store colleagues the highest paid in the UK.
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