As part of expansion plans
In a move that could create 400 jobs in the UK, the German supermarket chain Aldi has announced today plans to build a new distribution centre in the southeast of England.
The supermarket chain has reportedly submitted plans for the 21 acres warehouse in Bedford, creating 400 jobs.
The company has earmarked more than £75m to build a centre, which would serve its network of stores across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
Bedford Borough Council will consider the application in the coming days, media reports suggest.
The news comes just days after Aldi’s UK chief, Matthew Barnes, had talked about expansion plans and having as many as 300 new stores by 2022. This is despite the operating profits slipping by 17% to £211.3m last year.
Read related story: Despite growth, Aldi UK profits hit amid price war
“More than half of all UK households now regularly shop with us and many more prospective customers tell us they would switch supermarkets if there was an Aldi nearby,” Barnes said, adding, “This gives us the confidence to continue investing in our operations and infrastructure.”
The fast-growing retailer, along with its fellow German chain Lidl, is giving major competition to UK’s Big Four – Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.
With a market share of 6.9 per cent in grocery and as UK’s fifth biggest supermarket, Aldi currently operates 726 stores.
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