George Brown expressed concerns on LinkedIn, highlighting that securing planning consent for new Aldi stores often takes over 12 months due to under-resourced local authorities. He proposed that Aldi would be willing to invest in the application process to expedite approvals, emphasising the need for more streamlined and efficient decision-making for retail developments.
Brown noted a preference among planning authorities for warehouse and industrial estate approvals, which he argues generate fewer local jobs compared to supermarket openings. "To unlock significant investment in the UK economy, this needs to change," he said.
The retailer has also announced a broader goal of 1,500 stores, though no specific timeline has been provided. Aldi attributes the delays to planning red tape, building material shortages, and objections from competitors, factors which have slowed its expansion and impacted sales growth.
Aldi's push reflects a wider frustration within the retail sector over the current planning system. Competitors like Waitrose, Lidl, and Iceland are also pursuing expansion plans and have been vocal about the bureaucratic challenges they face.
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