Aldi has revealed 10 priority areas in Scotland where it is 'actively seeking' to open new stores, as part of its ambitious UK expansion plans.
Priority locations in Scotland
The German discounter, now operating over 1,000 stores in the UK, is targeting sites in Bonnyrigg, Cathcart, Falkirk, Stirling and Ayr, among others. The full list of priority locations in Scotland includes: Glasgow Cathcart, Bonnyrigg, Clarkston, Edinburgh North West, Largs, Blantyre, Falkirk Central, Stirling North, Stepps, and Ayr South.
Aldi is seeking freehold, leasehold or long leasehold sites in prominent locations with good visibility and access. Landlords and agents are encouraged to come forward with recommendations.
Expansion and job creation
The expansion is set to create new jobs in local areas. Store Assistants earn an average of £13.50 per hour nationally and £14.88 within the M25, rising with length of service, making Aldi the highest paying UK supermarket.
Aldi confirmed a £370 million investment earlier this year, pledging to open more than 40 stores by the end of 2026. This is part of a wider £1.4 billion plan to increase its UK portfolio to 1,500 stores by the end of 2027.
Recent upgrades and market position
Numerous stores across Scotland have received major upgrades, including Musselburgh, Montrose, Polmont and Aberdeen. Upgrades include refreshed layouts and eco-friendly refrigeration to improve the shopping experience.
Aldi has been consistently ranked as the UK's cheapest supermarket by Which? monthly price comparison. For June 2026, a basket of 95 items at Aldi cost £163.34, compared to Lidl's £164.79 for Plus members and £164.92 for regular shoppers.
Jonathan Neale, Managing Director of National Real Estate at Aldi UK, said: "We know how important it is for people to have access to affordable, high-quality food close to where they live, which is why we’re focused on identifying the communities that would benefit most from a new Aldi store. Opening new stores in these areas means we can bring great value to more customers, while also creating jobs and offering industry-leading pay."
