ALDI plans to open 30 new stores in Scotland, creating about 200 jobs, as part of a (pounds) 500m UK expansion.
The discount food retailer already has 278 outlets in the UK, and wants to expand to 450 shops within five years. It would then be employing an extra 1300 people, taking its UK workforce to 4300. In Scotland, staffing will rise from 170 to nearly 400 over the five years.
A (pounds) 20m Scottish head office and distribution centre recently opened in Bathgate, creating 60 jobs, and there are planned store openings at Alexandria, Forfar, Stirling, and Elgin.
Markus Beher, regional managing director for Aldi Scotland, promised to use Scottish suppliers and produce wherever possible.
The company, owned by Theo and Karl Albrecht, reclusive German billionaires, had estimated world sales last year of (pounds) 16bn, but has failed to make the impact expected during 15 years in the UK.
Aldi has moved to increase its presence in Scotland after noting that its Galashiels outlet was one of the top three best performing stores in the UK.
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