Aldi Announces Major £300 Million UK Store Revamp Programme
Aldi, the budget supermarket chain, has today revealed a substantial £300 million investment aimed at sprucing up and expanding its existing UK stores throughout 2026. The retailer has named the initial 11 branches set to undergo a comprehensive makeover, with locations spanning from Liverpool and Worcester to Lancashire and Huddersfield.
This cash injection will fund a detailed programme of improvements, including store extensions and various enhancement upgrades. According to Aldi, the specific modifications will vary by site but will prominently feature expanded shopping space and the introduction of greener, more sustainable elements.
Eco-Friendly Innovations and Store Enhancements
The eco-friendly additions are a key focus, incorporating energy-saving technology such as fridge doors to significantly reduce energy consumption, alongside natural refrigerants designed to lower carbon footprints. Further enhancements will include refreshed fixtures and signage, plus reimagined store layouts to improve the overall shopping experience.
This pledge follows Aldi's recent £370 million commitment to launch 40 new stores in 2026, underscoring the grocer's ongoing strategy to bolster both its new and established retail portfolio across the United Kingdom.
Initial Locations for Store Extensions
Stores set to receive extensions in the coming months include:
- Beck Road, Huddersfield
- Glamorgan Vale RP, Llantrisant
- Bebington Road, Bebington
- Springbank Road, Stirling
- Smithdown Road, Liverpool
- Brooks Road, Lewes
Other stores across the UK will also benefit from upgrades later this year, including:
- Chester-le-Street (County Durham)
- Handsworth Road (Sheffield)
- Haverhill (Suffolk)
- Tybridge Street (Worcester)
- Chorley (Lancashire)
Leadership Comments on Expansion and Accessibility
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, stated: "As well as opening new stores, we're also investing in existing ones to make sure everyone can get what they need from Aldi. By extending some stores, and by upgrading and improving others across the country, we can serve even more customers while creating even better shopping environments for our colleagues and shoppers. Together with our new stores, that will mean more people can access Aldi's high-quality products at unbeatable prices."
The discount chain is concurrently pumping £370 million into launching fresh outlets this year, with sites earmarked for Southam in Warwickshire, Hastings in East Sussex, and Amersham in Buckinghamshire. This latest financial commitment follows last year's expansion, which saw Aldi establish new locations from Kirkintilloch in East Dunbartonshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex, plus areas like Fulham Broadway in London and Deeside in Wales.
Mr Hurley added: "Our unwavering commitment is to make high-quality, affordable groceries accessible to everybody. But we recognise that there are still areas without an Aldi store, so our expansion plans for 2026 are designed to address some of these gaps as we work towards our long-term goal of 1,500 UK stores. We've always believed that access to high-quality affordable food is a right, not a privilege, and that's why it's our mission to make this a reality for customers up and down the UK."
Recognition and Employee Benefits
Last month, the consumer watchdog Which? crowned Aldi as the UK's most affordable supermarket for the fifth consecutive year, solidifying its reputation as the go-to destination for budget-conscious British families. In the monthly Which? comparison of 89 widely-purchased branded and own-label items, Aldi also kicked off the year by winning the January 2026 Which? Cheapest Supermarket award.
Additionally, the retailer recently announced it would be boosting wages for shop floor staff. Store Assistant pay will increase to £13.35 per hour nationwide (rising to £14.30 with length of service) and £14.71 inside the M25 (reaching £15.03 with service), effective from 1st March 2026.
