Aldi is conducting a trial where some of its stores will now close an hour earlier than usual. Instead of closing at 10pm, the affected stores will now close at 9pm. While some stores have already implemented this change, others are set to follow suit later this month.
Though Aldi has not disclosed the specific stores being impacted, signs are being displayed in the affected shops to inform customers about the new closing time. According to The Sun, an Aldi employee in Heanor, Derbyshire, announced on Facebook that their store would be closing at 9pm from Monday to Saturday, with Sunday hours remaining unchanged. This adjustment is initially a trial but is likely to become the permanent operating hours moving forward.
Another Aldi branch in the West Midlands is reported to be closing at 9pm starting July 16. Currently, around 48 out of Aldi’s 1,084 stores already close at 9pm, as the supermarket aims to expand its presence to 1,500 stores in the UK.
Aldi emphasized its commitment to offering the lowest prices to customers, attributing the change in operating hours to their efficient business model that facilitates passing on greater savings to shoppers. As part of its growth strategy, Aldi plans to open 16 new stores in various locations, including Watford, Hoxton in London, Hattersley in Greater Manchester, and Balsall Common in the West Midlands.
Additionally, the budget supermarket will be upgrading 25 existing stores across the UK, enhancing shopping experiences with features like more spacious layouts and energy-efficient fridge doors. Selected locations will also see improvements in the bakery, health and beauty, and fresh food sections. Cities like Liverpool, London, Aberdeen, Nottingham, and Manchester are among those slated for store enhancements.
Furthermore, store extensions in York, Liverpool, and Yarm are planned to provide wider aisles and create a more comfortable shopping environment. These enhancements are part of a broader investment of £300 million into existing stores and a commitment of £370 million towards opening new stores nationwide.