Aldi has begun initial operations at what it says is the UK’s largest supermarket distribution centre following a £500m investment in the site.
The discounter has made its first delivery from the new 1.3 million sq ft facility at Bardon in Leicestershire, which will eventually serve almost 350 stores across the UK.
The warehouse forms part of Aldi’s wider £1.6bn investment programme across Britain during 2026 and 2027.
Once fully operational, the site will be capable of handling nearly seven million pallets of stock annually and will also act as a national replenishment hub for Aldi’s wider distribution network.
The site is set to employ around 1,000 people, including colleagues transferring from Aldi’s existing distribution centres in Sawley and Atherstone.
Planning approval for the development was granted in 2020, with construction completed last year. The facility includes multiple ambient, chilled and frozen chambers, alongside 140 HGV bays.
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Aldi said the warehouse is its lowest carbon-density distribution centre within the Aldi South Group. The roof includes 19,000 solar panels, which at peak generation can produce enough electricity to power the site.
Aldi said the highly automated facility would improve efficiency across its supply chain and support its long-term low-price strategy.
“The state-of-the-art technology in Bardon will significantly increase the efficiency of our warehouse network, meaning we can continue to deliver the best possible prices for our customers, every single day,” said Aldi UK and Ireland CEO Giles Hurley.
“Our ambition is to make quality groceries affordable and accessible to all, and that can only happen when everybody in Britain has an Aldi store on their doorstep.
“That’s why we’re committing significant investment in opening new stores and Distribution Centres up and down the country, taking us closer to our goal of having 1,500 stores across the UK.”
The retailer said it worked with automation specialists Dematic and Cimcorp on the installation of automated storage and handling systems at Bardon, designed to streamline deliveries and stock management.
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