The discounter invasion of Europe is stepping up in the UK, with German chain Aldi planning to invest £200m in new stores in Scotland.

Aldi bosses Theo and Karl Albrecht said they will open 15 stores a year, bringing their total number of stores in Scotland to 150 by 2014.

The aggressive aim follows the completion of a £20m distribution centre on Bathgate two years ago - 10 years after Aldi opened its first Scottish store in Kilmarnock.

Aldi’s md for Scotland Markus Beher said: “There are five million people living in Scotland and only 27 Aldi stores. The potential is huge. With all the stores that we have recently opened we know there is a gap in the market.

“We are trying to open as many stores in Scotland as possible. Since we are a large international company there is no restriction on the investment side.

“We have another two [stores] opening this year in Hamilton and Oban and then for the following years we are planning to open 10 to 15 stores.”

Beher said he hoped to enter Edinburgh in the next two years, with two sites currently under inspection.

Aldi’s ethos is to sell fewer products for about 30 per cent less than its competitors. This relies on prioritising own-label brands, while minimising buyers and shop staff.

The influx of Aldi stores follows rival Lidl’s recent announcement of plans to invest £200m in doubling its total of 77 stores within 10 years.

Higher-end chains Sainsbury’s and Waitrose have also committed to increase their presence north of the border but Beher said Aldi’s offer is quite different from the main supermarkets.

He said Aldi would increase its market share by competing for sales of non-premium grocery items.

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