Germany’s two supermarket discount giants are entrenching their foothold in the UK with expansion plans that will increase the pressure on local outlets such as Sainsbury’s to lower prices.

Aldi plans to add 80 branches this year, 23 per cent more than last year, taking it to more than 700 stores, while discounter Lidl plans to more than double its outlets from 620 to 1500.

Aldi UK joint MD of buying Jonathan Neale told the Mail on Sunday that the company has had an excellent year, with a “structural change” in the shopping habits of UK consumers who could now pay less for all the products they want.

Lidl, meanwhile, plans to invest more than £1.5 billion (US$2.2 billion) in the UK over the next three years. The budget chain expects to open almost one new outlet a week this year, and is introducing a new store design featuring wider aisles and baby-changing amenities, reports ESM.

Lidl’s UK sales jumped 21 per cent last year to about £4 billion. The retailer has had a presence in the UK since 1994.