The first ever Aldi Local is here

Photo credit: Aldi
Photo credit: Aldi

From Good Housekeeping

Aldi has grown from strength to strength in recent years. Last week, the retailer continued to expand its share of the U.K. grocery market with the launch of a new, smaller high street shop.

The discount supermarket opened its first Aldi Local store in Balham, south London, last Thursday. At 6,000 sq ft, the new site is half the size of a typical Aldi store and sells 300 fewer products, including bulkier items that shoppers would have difficulty transporting without a car.

Photo credit: Aldi
Photo credit: Aldi

Shoppers can expect to find a similar product mix in Balham to Aldi's other city stores in Tooting, Archway, Kingston and Kilburn, which have been open for several years. There will be 'on-the-go goodies' on offer for people on their way home from work, although it's worth noting that the regular Special Buys aren't available in these smaller shops.

A spokesperson for Aldi said "this isn't a move into convenience retailing" as the Local store is still twice the size of a typical local supermarket. The new branch aims to "help shoppers distinguish between its smaller city stores in London and the conventional sized Aldis," the brand said.

Photo credit: Aldi
Photo credit: Aldi

If the Balham shop is successful, there could be more like it on the way. "The trial will be evaluated before any decision is made whether to continue with this branding," the spokesperson added.

('You Might Also Like',)