German discounter Aldi is all set to create 2,000 jobs, and open 100 stores across the UK over the next two years as part of a £1.3bn plan to take over the British grocery market. Giles Hurley, Aldi’s UK and Ireland chief executive said the chain is not expecting disruption for customers in the run-up to Christmas. The chain said that alongside new stores and jobs, the fresh investment in its UK business would be used to expand its distribution centres, including a new 1.3m sq ft warehouse in Leicestershire, and give a trial to a new checkout-free store in Greenwich in London, where it will use cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence to scan items and charge shoppers.
Hurley said, “It’s a clear sign of our mission, and the demand that exists for Aldi to be in more locations across Great Britain, from Aberystwyth to Aberdeen.” The investment plans were announced alongside Aldi’s annual results which showed a 10.2 per cent rise in sales in the UK, and Ireland. Hurley said he could not rule out price inflation in the lead-up to Christmas, especially after the Bank of England warned consumer price inflation could exceed four per cent by the end of the year because of higher energy bills.
“I think we can insulate our customers more effectively than just about anyone else. We actually have a smaller supply base with our refined range. I think that gives us a good deal more control over our [product] availability. The second thing is that a majority of the products that we source come from British-based suppliers or manufacturers, and that means our supply chain is just a little bit shorter and, I would say, easier to control,” Hurley said.
