Aldi, the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket chain, is seeking public input for potential new store locations in Hampshire, indicating plans for significant expansion in the area. The initiative allows customers to suggest where they believe new Aldi supermarkets should be established, aiming to enhance community access to affordable food.
With over 1,050 stores across the UK and ambitions to increase that number to more than 1,500, Aldi’s outreach is part of a broader strategy to meet growing consumer demand. The company previously engaged the public in cities like London, Manchester, and Derbyshire, where shopper suggestions led to the identification of priority locations for new stores.
Jonathan Neale, managing director of national real estate at Aldi UK, emphasized the importance of community input in the expansion process. “We’ve always believed that great quality food should be within everyone’s reach and many communities would therefore still benefit from having an Aldi nearby,” he stated. Neale added, “We’re always looking at key places where we see potential, but we want to hear directly from the public about where the demand is greatest. Their input is invaluable as we continue to grow and bring Aldi’s unbeatable value to more areas across Britain.”
Residents interested in contributing their suggestions have until June 8, 2025, to submit their ideas. Aldi plans to evaluate these suggestions and will announce the next set of priority locations later this year.
Recently, Aldi opened a new store in Totton, creating up to 40 jobs in the local community. This store, which spans 1,890 square meters, was constructed on previously undeveloped land adjacent to AFC Totton and Totton and Eling FC. The opening event featured a special guest, ParalympicsGB gold medallist Aaron Phipps, who distributed free bags of fresh fruit and vegetables to the first 30 customers in line.
In addition to its expansion plans in Hampshire, Aldi is also pursuing new developments in West Sussex, where plans have been submitted for a retail park that includes an Aldi supermarket, a McDonald's, and a Costa Coffee drive-thru. This proposal pertains to land formerly occupied by the old Parkers' building and warehouse in Wick.
The application, submitted to Arun District Council, seeks to redevelop a brownfield site located between Kingley Gate and Morrisons, just north of the A259. The retail park will not only feature the supermarket and fast-food outlets but also plans for light industrial warehouses, enhancing the area’s commercial landscape.
A planning statement from ECE Planning, representing NCL Estates Ltd, outlined the project’s goals. It aims to deliver a new retail facility and industrial area across two phases. The statement highlighted the expected socio-economic benefits of redeveloping this under-utilized site, noting that it would provide significant local employment opportunities.
“The proposed development will deliver an Aldi Food store, Costa and McDonald's drive-thru facilities, and up to 8,800sqm of Light Industrial floorspace,” the planning statement read. “The proposed development has been prepared in consultation with the local planning authority and the local community, through pre-application advice and public consultation.”
The public consultation for this application continues until May 30, 2025, giving local residents the chance to voice their opinions and concerns about the development.
Overall, Aldi’s initiatives in Hampshire and West Sussex reflect a proactive approach to meeting consumer needs while contributing to local economies. As the supermarket chain continues to expand, the involvement of the community will play a crucial role in shaping its future presence in these areas.
With plans for new stores and retail parks, Aldi is not just aiming to increase its footprint but also to ensure that its offerings are accessible to more communities across the UK. As shoppers await the results of public suggestions and the outcome of the West Sussex retail park proposal, it’s clear that Aldi is committed to adapting to the evolving landscape of consumer demands.
