Globally, to meet changing shopper demands, discounters are introducing new store formats.

Recently, Landini Associates, a design and brand consultancy, announced it had completed a long-standing partnership with Aldi Süd by developing a global store design that is modularly adaptable to different store formats.

This new design will include a range of touchpoints, such as building and interior design, customer communication, signage, tone of voice, packaging, and uniforms. The trial of the format began in Florida in September 2025, with a further rollout scheduled to commence in Q2 2026 and more testing to come in Australia, Germany, Hofer (Austria, Italy, Hungary, Slovenia & Switzerland), and the UK and Ireland.

This article examines what this means at a regional level and how this change may impact suppliers.

The US: new format to aid fast-paced expansion

It is not by chance that this market was chosen as the starting point for the rollout. Aldi has been experiencing great success in the USA, with phenomenal expansion and rapid growth, thanks to its value proposition, which resonates strongly with shoppers. Targeting new states, such as Nevada and Maine, and through acquisitions, Aldi stores are becoming increasingly prevalent in US shoppers’ lives. Private labels have also seen changes, with a new brand name launched last year to bring a more unified approach to beloved products. Bringing a unified store format to the 40 states where the discounter operates will help it provide both local and travelling shoppers with a consistent in-store experience, while continuing to provide value and quality.

Australia: adapting the existing blueprint

The home of Landini Associates, this market has seen new formats such as the Corner Store being trialled in recent years. The decision was made not to move forward with a wider rollout of the Corner Store, and this new design suggests that elements that were trialled have been adapted for a more global approach.

China: where the model is already different

China is notably missing from the list of Aldi Süd markets included in the new format’s trial. The country is seeing an impressive increase in innovation in the discount space, with the European model being emulated for success. In China, Aldi has positioned itself as a reliable neighbourhood retailer in and around Shanghai, with an in-store dining offering for added convenience. The reduced and localised assortment resonates with Chinese shoppers’ demand for high quality at low prices. The different approach in China means that the new format would not resonate with the existing offering.

Europe – slow rollout, and combatting Lidl

Finally, Aldi’s home region, where it operates in several markets, with varying levels of maturity and success. Many countries, such as the UK and Austria, have seen newer store designs and refurbishments in recent years, and an overhaul of the network is unlikely in the short term. In its home country of Germany, Aldi Süd is focusing on its existing estate as opposed to strong expansion, strengthening value credentials and solidifying its foothold in a highly competitive discount landscape.

The announcement of this new format for Aldi Süd comes shortly after Lidl started rolling out a new store format across Europe. The FK 2025 greatly improves the shopper journey by introducing wider aisles, better navigability, and efficiencies, such as improved self-checkouts. With operations in 30 countries, the unified format is more aligned with Lidl’s strategy, with existing stores across markets being more similar to one another than those seen at Aldi.

The pros and cons

One of Aldi’s key points of difference from other discounters with a multi-regional footprint has been the ability to adapt to the markets it operates in. While the modularity elements of the new global format will allow for adaptation to specific regions, it will likely result in the loss of the true tailoring seen thus far. Products are likely to be displayed and merchandised similarly across markets, which will present opportunities and challenges for suppliers.

Consistency is being sought outside of the store as well; the total SKU count for the group hovers at around 15,000, with each market stocking around 2,000-2,500. Efforts to streamline this were announced at IGD’s Aldi Süd Global Sourcing Supplier Conference in Salzburg last September, with ongoing projects looking to identify where products and packaging can be aligned across markets to reduce costs and improve efficiencies.

In the UK in particular, the permanent assortment will be reduced, removing complexity for shoppers and allowing for more volume growth for suppliers. The offering will be more tailored to families, with a particular focus on health.

What this means for suppliers

While the rollout of a new, unified Aldi Süd store format is being hailed as a novelty, it will not impact suppliers any more than the existing harmonisation efforts happening within the group. It will be tested across markets first and is likely to impact new store openings rather than existing estates (Aldi has ambitious expansion plans in many markets. Discover the strategic signals for the future of retail supply chains).

This is one of those “wait and see” moments in retail; it will take time for the results of the testing to be apparent and for the wider rollout of new store formats. What the announcement does do is highlight Aldi’s continuous commitment to its brick-and-mortar estate, and its desire to reduce costs through harmonising operations wherever possible. It also signals a broader shift in discount strategy, which will slowly cascade to other retailers and markets.

Opportunities for suppliers will be presented in categories at the heart of the new store format, such as fresh, bakery, and health and beauty. There will be an ask from Aldi to change packaging for a more unified approach, and complexities stemming from adaptation to local regulations. Ultra-regional products may be at higher risk of delisting if they are not deemed essential to the assortment. Suppliers should prepare for tough conversations with Aldi Süd in the near future.

Understand the discount trends driving the channel’s growth

New store formats, as part of the driving footfall and frequency trend, are just one of the ways discounters will drive sales growth over the next 12 months.

The full report, ‘Global discount trends 2026’, is available on the IGD website for Retail Analysis subscribers. 

A free four-page report preview is also available for non-subscribers.