The chain overtook Waitrose in April as the UK’s sixth-biggest supermarket, with 5.3 per cent of the market share.

It has focused on smaller-scale stores looking at build costs of £1m-£3m for each store rather than the £10m+ favoured by the other chains.

The supermarket chain is also planning several distribution centres to support the growth programme.

Meanwhile Aldi has submitted plans for a 13,500 sq ft outlet in Crieff.

The company originally expressed an interest in the Broich Road site earlier this year after Tesco announced it had scrapped its plan to open a store in the same area.

And now Aldi has confirmed proposals have been submitted for land next to the town’s new primary school.

The plans are expected to create about 50 jobs and include designs for a second retail unit.

An announcement on which chain will take over the neighbouring outlet is expected to be made, if and when the plans are approved.

Aldi’s plans are being weighed up by Perth and Kinross Council planners and a decision is likely to be made in the coming months.