Aldi is conducting a trial where select stores will be closing an hour earlier than usual. Instead of the regular 10 pm closing time, these stores will now shut their doors at 9 pm. While some locations have already implemented this change, others are expected to follow suit later this month.
Specific store details have not been disclosed by Aldi, but signs are being posted in affected shops to inform customers, according to The Sun. An Aldi employee in Heanor, Derbyshire, shared on Facebook that their store would be part of the trial, closing at 9 pm on weekdays while maintaining regular hours on Sundays.
Another Aldi branch in the West Midlands is reportedly set to close at 9 pm starting July 16. Currently, about 48 out of Aldi’s 1,084 stores already operate on this revised schedule. The supermarket aims to expand its presence to 1,500 stores in the UK in the long run.
In a statement, Aldi emphasized its commitment to offering the lowest prices to customers regularly. The company highlighted its ongoing efforts to enhance cost savings for shoppers through an efficient operational approach.
Aldi recently announced plans to open 16 new stores in various locations, including Watford, Hoxton, Hattersley, and Balsall Common. Additionally, the budget-friendly supermarket intends to upgrade 25 existing stores across the UK, incorporating enhancements like expanded shopping space and energy-efficient features.
Upgrades will also include improvements to bakery, health and beauty, and fresh food sections in select stores. Notable locations earmarked for enhancements include Liverpool, London, Aberdeen, Nottingham, and Manchester. Furthermore, store extensions are scheduled for York, Liverpool, and Yarm to create a more spacious and shopper-friendly environment.
These store improvements are part of Aldi’s substantial investment of £300 million into existing stores and a separate commitment of £370 million towards new store openings across the UK.