Discounters plan five times as many openings as the ‘Big Four’

Lidl and Aldi have plans to open 171 stores between them in the coming months, according to sources, putting pressure on the ‘Big Four’ retailers. 

According to the Sunday Telegraph, Aldi has filed planning applications for 93 new supermarkets, whilst Lidl has filed 78. This compares to just 29 applications combined from the big four grocers, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda and Morrisons. Analysis have predicted that the discounters will make up 15% of the grocery market.

Lidl recently announced that it would be investing £1.5 billion on a new look for their stores to emulate the feel of a more traditional supermarket. 

Managing director Ronny Gottschlich said: “This is our biggest step in the UK. We want to please our current customers and attract potential new customers. This store looks like the Lidl of the future.

“Our customer feedback was our stores are not in line with what they expect in 2015 any more.”