Aldi launches new reduction zones in all stores to help shoppers save money

Aldi is rolling out new dedicated reduction zones across its UK stores.

These new areas will be clearly marked so that shoppers will find it easier to locate discounted food. Aldi said the section will feature reduced bread, fresh produce, and other items nearing their use-by date.

As well as helping customers save money, the new initiative will also allow the supermarket to cut unnecessary food waste. Items will be discounted throughout the day.

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Aldi separately partners with community giving platform Neighbourly to donate surplus food from all its UK stores every day. The supermarket also works with Too Good To Go to sell bags of products that are approaching their sell-by date.

Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “Our customers already know they can rely on us to provide unbeatable value, but our new reduction areas will make it even easier to pick up a last-minute bargain.

“By creating dedicated reduction zones in store, we’re helping point shoppers towards quality food at cheaper prices, all while cutting down on food waste."

It comes after Aldi was crowned the cheapest UK supermarket again in the latest Which? price comparison. The average bill for 71 items at the budget chain came to £122.77 in September.

This was £1.18 cheaper than rival Lidl, where an identical shop came to £123.95 on average. Which? compares the average price of a shop consisting of popular groceries at eight biggest supermarkets every month.

The analysis includes special offer prices and loyalty prices where applicable, but not multibuys. The list of 71 items included both branded and own-brand items, such as Birds Eye Peas, Hovis bread, milk and butter.

The budget supermarket is targeting these locations as part of a massive £1.6billion expansion plan over the next two years. In its annual trading update earlier this week, Aldi said it planned to open 80 stores across 2026 and 2027.

As well as new stores, the investment will go towards upgrading existing ones. Aldi will also look to improve its distribution network.

The retailer, which currently has 1,060 stores, has previously announced plans to increase this number to 1,500 stores across the UK. It said its expansion would create thousands of jobs and more opportunities for British suppliers.

The supermarket has just published its latest financial results for the 12 months to December 2024, which it revealed sales increased to £18.1billion.

The company said operating profit fell to £435.5million partly due to lower prices for customers, investment in infrastructure and higher pay for colleagues.