Aldi seeks out new sites for London expansion
Aldi is looking for new locations for London stores as part of its multi-million-pound expansion plan.
The supermarket has pledged to almost double its 60-strong estate within the M25 and create around 2,400 jobs. It is on track to open its 1,000th UK store later this year.
To help identify sites, Aldi is offering property agents a finder’s fee of either 1.5% of a freehold price or 10% of the first year’s rent for leasehold sites, for recommending a previously unknown site.
Suitable locations will include those large enough for its standard 20,000 square foot stores, which need around 100 dedicated parking spaces. The retailer prefers sites on a prominent main road and with good visibility and access. It is targeting empty office blocks and new housing locations as well as freehold town-centre or edge-of-centre sites.
Aldi is also on the look-out for new sites for its smaller Aldi Local store format, which are around 5,000 square feet in size.
Ben Shotter, regional managing director at Aldi, said: “We strongly believe that access to affordable, high-quality food is a right, not a privilege. But we’re conscious that there are still many areas, particularly in the capital and within the M25, that don’t have access to an Aldi.
“As a result, too many people have to make do with big prices at the big supermarkets. We want to give more people a new Aldi store with our award-winning products at unbeatable prices. We are looking for locations across the UK, but particularly in London.”
