Aldi will open a record number of new stores this year as it accelerates its UK growth and ramps up the pressure on its big four rivals.

The discounter will open 80 supermarkets, 23% more than it launched last year, as it bids to gain further traction among British consumers.

The ambitious growth strategy will take Aldi past the 700-store mark and help it grow its market share further.

Aldi and fellow German discounter Lidl have taken advantage of bargain-hungry shoppers and the number of consumers seeking convenience over a weekly shop to expand rapidly in the UK.

According to Kantar Worldpanel data, the duo now hold a combined market share of 10% after wooing shoppers from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons.

Jonathan Neale, joint managing director of buying at Aldi UK, told the Mail on Sunday: ‘This has been another excellent year for Aldi.

“We’re seeing a permanent, structural change in the shopping habits of UK consumers. They now know they can get all the products they want at significantly cheaper prices than at other supermarkets.”

The news comes in the wake of another competitive Christmas for grocery retailers. Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons are all poised to report their sales figures for the crucial festive trading period next week.