Aldi is planning to invest £22m in a new 4,000 sq m freezer and 13,000 sq m chill facility at its Scottish headquarters in Bathgate, which could create up to 200 jobs.
The company announced it was investing in new chill facilities in Bathgate as it outlined further planned expansion of its Scottish product range by 14% from 350 to more than 400 in the next two years. Aldi currently works with more than 80 Scottish suppliers.
The pledge to stock more Scottish products was announced to 200 delegates attending the company’s supplier conference in Glasgow.
By the end of this year it will have 78 stores and more than 2,600 employees north of the border. Its new Dumfries store will be the first in Scotland to feature a new concept and design, including wider aisles and more space for fresh produce.
Giles Hurley, group managing director for Aldi UK & Ireland, said, “We have seen our customer numbers in Scotland increase by a staggering 280% since 2010.
“Aldi has led the way with local sourcing. Over the coming years, as we increase our range of Scottish products, we expect to grow our market share considerably and attract even more shoppers into stores.”