UK roundup: Expansion prospects and sales milestones

In this instalment, our UK analysts offer their take on some of the market’s latest developments and initiatives. Here’s what you need to know about:

• Aldi invests in existing store estate

• Boots set to launch in-store weight-loss clinics

• Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference hits £2 billion in sales

• GoPuff sales pass £100 million

• Morrisons exploring options to sell in-store pharmacies

• Tesco Clubcard made available to under-18s

• Morrisons increasing the use of physical coupons

Aldi invests in existing store estate 

Alongside the recently announced £370m investment in expansion, Aldi has pledged £300m to upgrade and expand existing stores in the country in 2026. With an estate of over 1,000 stores, Aldi has stated that the investment will allow it to “serve even more customers while creating even better shopping environments for our colleagues and shoppers”. 

Senior Insight Analyst, Michela Pearson’s view: Aldi’s latest investment highlights its commitment to continually improving its estate while it expands into new regions. With a 35-year history in the market, continually ensuring stores are updated and meeting evolving needs is key, and will see Aldi continue to be popular with British shoppers. 

Look out for our upcoming report Category Evolution: Aldi and Lidl, for details on how the discounters are executing key categories in the UK. 

Boots set to launch in-store weight-loss clinics

Boots is offering in-store weight-loss advice and treatments in 17 of its stores across the UK. The service includes an appointment with a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber in a private consultation room. his prescriber has specialist training to prescribe medicines for weight loss and conducting assessment in this area. 

The private weight-loss treatment is an in-store extension to the retailers existing weight-loss service that is currently offered exclusively through Boots Online Doctor. Boots will signpost customers to a range of resources in its Boots Online Doctor Platform, including a 10-week free weight-loss programme promoting sustainable lifestyle and behavioural changes. It also provides access to a progress tracking app and a free 12-month aftercare programme for those who have stopped medication. Customers can also access in-store pharmacists if they have questions or concerns.  

Analyst, Seth Russell’s view: Boots are launching its in-store weight-loss clinics in an intelligent move to differentiate themselves from other health & beauty retailers, since most use digital methods to provide support services when it comes to weight-loss treatment. The pilot launch in 17 stores will give Boots a sense of the demand for in-store weight-loss treatment services and can gauge if it is worth a full rollout of the service across the UK. These in-store clinics come at the same time GLP-1 weight-loss injections are at the forefront of retailer interest, potentially being Boots’ attempt at getting foothold in the GLP-1 market to eventually establish themselves as a key player in the future of GLP-1 treatment in the UK. 

See more on GLP-1s here 

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference reaches £2 bn sales 

Sainsbury’s has announced its premium private label range, Taste the Difference, has reached £2 bn in annual sales. The news follows the extension of the range into the premium plus tier with the launch of Tast the Difference Discovery products in October 2025, taking aim at the away from home market.  

Senior Insight Analyst, Alex Rowberry‘s view: Sainsbury’s becomes the second UK retailer to see its premium private label range hit £2 bn in annual sales, after Tesco reached the milestone in 2024.The news comes as recent sales data from Worldpanel by Numerator revealed 52% of all grocery spend now goes on private label lines.  

GoPuff sales pass £100m 

GoPuff, the last significant remaining Qcomm retailer operating a dedicated dark-store model of fulfilment, has reported revenue of £102m in its latest accounts filed with Companies House.  Reporting its financial results for the year to 31 December 2024 parent company GoBrands UK recorded product sales up 34.2% at £96.2m supplemented with £1.4m of revenue from subscriptions and £4.3m in delivery fees.  Operating a network of micro-fulfilment centres across urban markets in the UK, GoPuff was able to sustain an average delivery time of 29 minutes over the year.  However, while generating a healthy gross margin of over 29%, the company recorded another significant operating loss of £25.9m, due mainly to its ongoing heavy burden of labour costs. 

Insight Partner, Patrick Mitchell-Fox’s view: following a significant reduction in its headcount in 2024 GoPuff has managed to shrink the scale of its operating loss versus 2023, suggesting that a continued high level (over 30% y-o-y) of sales growth could potentially yield an operating profit in the next three years.  However, needless to say, sustaining this sales growth will likely require additional cost to reach and service new customers while also facing into the sharply increased levels of competition for Qcomm spend from the major grocers such as Tesco, whose Whoosh service is now available from some 1,600 stores nationwide. 

Morrisons exploring options to sell in-store pharmacies 

Morrisons is considering selling dozens of its in-store pharmacies as it looks to lower operating costs and drive efficiencies. As reported by The Telegraph, the retailer is selling off pharmacies that are not financially viable, with Boots reported to be a poial buyer. The pharmacies are expected to remain in operation, taking on the branding of any eventual buyer. 

Senior Insight Analyst, Alex Rowberry‘s view: this is the latest news to emerge that Morrisons is looking at generating value from its assets as it looks to remove costs, service debt and invest in pricing and stores for the future. It was revealed last week the retailer is considering raising £1 bn of finance against its freehold store portfolio. 

Tesco Clubcard to be made available to under-18s 

Tesco will make its Clubcard loyalty scheme available to under-18s before the end of the year. The retailer is yet to provide full details on its plans, other than to confirm the scheme will be opened up to under-18s this year. 

Senior Insight Analyst, Alex Rowberry‘s view: the news from Tesco follows concerns raised by consumer watchdog Which? that loyalty schemes were excluding shoppers based on their age, potentially missing out on significant savings. The announcement is likely to prompt similar measures from Tesco rivals. 

Morrisons increasing the use of physical coupons 

Morrisons has agreed a new partnership with the retail engagement firm Ecrebo. The move will enhance the retailers capabilities in generating personalised paper coupons, offers and messages to customers at tills and via its app. Advances in technology will see shoppers presented with coupons in real-time based on data from their in-store purchases. The retailer also announced plans to increase the number of personalised offers available through its More Card loyalty scheme. 

Senior Insight Analyst, Alex Rowberry‘s view: this news can be viewed as the retailer looking to shore up support amongst its key shopper demographic. This skews towards elderly shoppers who are less likely to engage with the retailer’s digital app and could potentially feel excluded by lack of access to the retailer’s best promotions. 

Looking for more insight?

Subscribers can find out more on our UK market hub.