Aldi, the discount supermarket chain, revealed its bold strategy to introduce 500 additional stores across the United Kingdom on Thursday. This announcement coincided with the grand opening of the company’s 1,000th store in the town of Woking, Surrey.

The decision to expand Aldi’s footprint comes in response to surging demand for the store’s budget-friendly offerings. Consumers, grappling with the challenges of rising living costs, have increasingly turned to Aldi as their go-to shopping destination.

Recent market data from Kantar highlights Aldi as the fastest-growing supermarket in the UK, positioning it fourth in terms of market share. Lidl, another key player in the discount grocery sector, is also experiencing a similar surge in market share.

To support its ambitious growth plans over the next two years, Aldi is committing a significant investment of £1.3 billion. By the conclusion of this year, the company anticipates opening 20 new stores as part of its expansion strategy.