As the German-owned firm expands its offering in an attempt to become a household name, Aldi is set to open two new stores in Edinburgh. The retailer currently has 29 stores in Scotland, employing some 400 people, and aims to open approximately ten stores a year in the next ten to 15 years, amounting to a £200 million investment throughout Scotland.

Markus Beher, managing director for Scotland, said the firm has been trying for the past few years to find suitable locations in Edinburgh: "We have been desperate to get into [Edinburgh], but because we need 1.5-acre sites with 80 car park spaces, it has been difficult. Edinburgh is very condensed." The two new stores, designed by Edinburgh architects 3D, are currently in the planning system.

Beher believes Aldi offers customers a unique service, bringing in brand quality products at low prices. By cutting out unnecessary costs and frills, he says, they can give customers top-quality own-label products on average 30% cheaper than the branded equivalent.

"We are not cheaper because the quality is not as good. We are cheaper because we offer a restricted range and cut down on expensive overheads," said Beher.

Over the past 50 years, the company has built up a network of more than 7,500 stores across Europe, the US and Australia with 333 stores in the UK and Ireland. Privately owned, the company continues to reinvest, including its new store expansion programme.

Scotland could be the next battleground for a major food retail war as Aldi's rival Lidl has already announced similar plans to double its portfolio of 77 stores within the next 10 years at a cost of £200m.