Aldi Nord, the more austere of Aldi’s two main operating companies, is about to embark on the biggest investment programme in its history with plans to refurbish all its European stores.

A model unveiled in the Belgian town of Ghent is to serve as the blueprint for the new store design. According to observers, capital expenditure could amount to more than E500m (£429.2m).

Aldi Nord has also said it will roll out in-store bakery ovens across its German network.

An Aldi Nord manager said: “We don’t want to reinvent Aldi, but we want to present ourselves in a more contemporary style.”