Discount supermarket Aldi has pledged to invest £900m in another 40 new stores next year and its warehouse network despite seeing annual earnings dip lower. The German-owned chain reported operating profits down 1% at £432.9m in 2025, against earnings of £435.5m the previous year as investment in prices and a rising wage bill offset a 5% increase in sales.
Record investment plan
It said turnover lifted to a record £19bn over the year. Aldi, which already has 1,092 shops across the UK and Ireland, said it would open another 40 stores in 2027 as part of a £900 million record investment plan for next year.
The UK’s fourth largest grocery chain said it was opening 30 new stores over the next 10 weeks alone as it ramps up its expansion programme, including Dumbarton, Newport and Willesden in London.
Expansion and price cuts
The group has previously said it wants to reach 1,500 shops across the UK with a drive to “focus on communities cut off from affordable groceries due to lack of local choice or competition”. The investment plan will also include work on its warehouse and distribution network.
Aldi also said it would continue cutting prices in the run up to Christmas, following a £340m price cut campaign so this year.
Chief executive comment
Giles Hurley, chief executive of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “The cost of food remains one of the biggest pressures on households across the country.
“Recent droughts at home and events overseas have highlighted just how fragile our food system is and why food security must be a long-term national priority.
“We’re working hard to make good food more affordable for every family – cutting prices on everyday essentials, signing long-term supplier agreements to help increase home-grown production, and continuing to bring affordable groceries to even more communities through our store opening programme.”
In other news for the supermarket Aldi is distributing £5,000 worth of shopping vouchers. Britain's biggest discounter has unveiled a giveaway to help new and returning students stock up on affordable fresh fruit and vegetables as they begin university life.
Whether it's fresh fruit for breakfast, snacks between lectures, or vegetables for straightforward, fuss-free dinners, Aldi states the vouchers are intended to help students prepare healthy, balanced meals while keeping costs down.
As part of the initiative, 500 fortunate students will each receive a £10 Aldi voucher to cover the cost of a basket of fresh fruit and vegetables.
To take part, students must email freshers@aldi. co.uk with their name, age, and the dish they intend to prepare using the voucher from a valid UK university email address. The competition closes at midnight on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
