Aldi is planning to expand its presence in Ireland over the next 18 months, and hopes to increase its store numbers from 14 to 80.

According to a report in The Sunday Times this week the retailer plans to open at least one store a week between now and the end of the year.

Aldi and budget retailer rival Lidl now hold around 5% of the E6bn Irish grocery market since they arrived just five years ago.

Aldi’s Ireland expansion programme is expected to cost at least E100m.