Aldi news

The biggest grocery retailers are experiencing challenging market conditions. Price competition is fierce, discounters are growing, and the way people shop is changing. Is grocery missing out on economic recovery and, if so, why? What will it take to kick-start a recovery? James Walton investigates. Good news Economic recovery in the UK continues to gain momentum; output is rising, inflatio...

Kantar Worldpanel's latest 12-week data release shows that the GB grocery sector growth rate fell sharply, to just +0.6% in three months to 30 March.  This drop from +2.2% in the last release, owes much to the late date of Easter in 2014, while the holiday fell at the end of March in 2013.  Adjusting for this seasonal impact Kantar estimates that underlying market growth was in fact 1.5%, though ...

As the discounters continue to outpace the market, we look at how Aldi and Lidl plan to drive further growth over the Easter period. Lidl's increased Easter focus Lidl has step-changed its approach to Easter as an event. Led by the retailers' new strapline of 'Lidl surprises', the retailer is supporting its in-store efforts through a special Easter brochure,  available in print and  o...

Aldi has acquired a 55-acre site in Moreno Valley, Southern California, where it will develop its operations to drive expansion on the US West Coast. Seeking coast-to-coast coverage Aldi’s expansion into California is part of the retailer’s broader plans to open 650 stores in the US by 2018. Entering the California market has been a long-term ambition for the retailer, and will help it sec...

Long-serving Aldi executive, German-born Stefan Kopp, has been appointed to joint managing director in Australia. Kopp joins Daunt as co-MD In keeping with the dual-management approach in place across all Aldi markets, Kopp joins existing MD Tom Daunt who has been in the role for three years. While Kopp has been with Aldi for 23 years, he has spent the last three as head of buying. No str...

From time in-store in Germany this week, Gavin Rothwell assesses how the two German discount giants are evolving and identifies the key areas of development. Bakery a key battleground As both have sought to strengthen fresh credentials and meet more regular shopping needs, bakery has been a focus for Lidl and Aldi Sud. Both have taken different approaches. A significantly extended offer, fu...

Following a flurry of recent awards, in an interview with Retail Week Aldi's two UK managing directors, Roman Heini and Matthew Barnes, have been commenting on recent performance and growth plans. Winning in the UK In the interview, joint managing directors Roman Heini and Matthew Barnes recently spoke of the discounter's success in the UK calling Aldi 'a British business sourcing British...

Discounter Aldi has reached a significant milestone by opening its 50th Scottish store. Aim to double store estate Aldi opens its 50th store today on Thursday 13th March in Scotland's Highland capital of Inverness. Located in Inshes Retail Park, it is the first of eight stores to open in Scotland this year including two in Glasgow. After almost ten years in Scotland and six new stores las...

The latest release on GB grocery market shares from Kantar Worldpanel shows sector growth continued to slow in the 12 weeks to 2nd March, dropping to 2.2% from 2.4% in the 12 weeks to 2nd February.  Market performance is being restrained by falling inflation above all, which across the grocery sector stood at 1.9%, the lowest level seen since July 2010.  New initiatives now being launched by reta...

Discounter Aldi is looking to take advantage of new planning laws in the Australian state of Victoria, opening stores on land that previously forbid retail development. New planning laws make smaller store development easier Aldi has been fast to react to the new planning laws that were introduced in July 2013. The new laws mean that former business 1, 2 and 3 zones have been rolled into comm...