The British arm of discounter Aldi plans to invest £1.3 billion (€1.43 billion) over the next two years as it reported a 49% increase in 2019 profit.
Aldi, Britain's fifth biggest supermarket group, said it would open around 100 new stores across the United Kingdom over 2020 and 2021 - sticking with its long-term target of 1,200 stores by 2025 despite the impact on shopper behaviour of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It also plans over 100 store upgrades, along with investment in distribution centres.
Aldi said it expected to create a further 4,000 new jobs next year, adding to the 3,000 roles already created in 2020.
Operating Profit
The group reported an operating profit of £291.2 million (€319.7 million) for 2019, up from £195.6 million in 2018, on total sales up 8% to £12.3 billion. It said margins improved, with efficiencies of scale offsetting price cuts.
Aldi has grown its market share to 8% over the last decade thanks to its aggressive store opening programme. However, industry data has shown its share edge lower during the pandemic, hindered in particular by a lack of online capability.
That has prompted Aldi to accelerate its push into home delivery so it can benefit from a jump in demand that is expected to endure beyond the crisis.
In April it started selling online food parcels to help self-isolating and vulnerable customers. It is also ramping-up a rapid delivery service in partnership with Deliveroo and is trialing click-and-collect.
News by Reuters, edited by ESM. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
