Discount supermarket chain Aldi is stepping up its store opening programme with a focus on London within the M25.

Its target is to expand the existing 840 stores network to 1,200 stores by 2025.

Over the next two years alone, the German grocer will invest £1bn to double the number of stores inside the M25, from 45 to 100 and build a further 100 stores across the UK.

The stores will be a mix of standard-sized stores costing from £2.5-£4m and its smaller convenience stores often using existing high street property.

New stores opening soon include Sydenham and Blackheath in southeast London, and Watford.

In the pipeline, Aldi has plans to open standard stores in Ruthin, Wales; Cumnock, East Ayrshire; Glasgow; Salford; Wolverhampton; Derby; Leicester; Luton; Ipswich; Sittingbourne, Kent; and Feltham in London.

UK boss Giles Hurley said: ‘While our expansion will continue to reach every part of the UK, we’re increasing our focus on London, where our market share is just 3.4 per cent, compared to 8.1 per cent nationally.�