Aldi has unveiled plans for opening more supermarket locations across London as part of its multi-million-pound expansion plans. The German discounter will almost double its 60-strong estate within the M25 and create around 2,400 jobs. Property agents are being offered 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.
Aldi is looking for locations big enough for its standard 20,000ft² stores, which need around 100 dedicated parking spaces, preferably on a main road and with visibility and access. It is also looking for sites to accommodate its smaller Aldi Local store format, which are around 5,000ft² in size. It is targeting empty office blocks and new housing locations as well as freehold town-centre or edge-of-centre sites suitable for property development.
Aldi regional managing director, Ben Shotter 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.”
