1. Aldi Snapshot, February 2019
Retailer performance
Trading priorities
2017
2018e
% change
Turnover
(€ ex VAT)
91,906m
99,713m
+8.5%
No. of stores
11,277
11,704
+3.8%
Sales area (sq m)
10,199,030
10,720,300
+5.1%
Value proposition
Achieved by pursuing EDLC and EDLP strategy:
Functional store environment
Limited, selective promotional emphasis
Shelf ready packaging, mixed packaging
Store renovation
Both Aldi Süd and Aldi Nord are remodelling their stores in several markets (UK, Spain, Germany) to a new store concept which includes an expanded fresh category.
Focus shifting to branded manufacturers
While in the past it offered almost entirely exclusive private labels, Aldi Süd and Aldi Nord have undergone a marked step-change in its strategy regarding branded products, with new listings appearing in some countries. This leads to tough price competition.
Store expansion in key markets
Aldi Süd and Aldi Nord will allocate funds to store expansion in their key markets, namely USA, UK and Australia. Aldi Süd has accelerated its store expansion plan in the USA as a reaction to Lidl’s market entry, while Aldi Nord will open more stores in Poland.
‘Anti-globalist’ sourcing approach
No more than 10% of Aldi’s grocery assortment is sourced on a pan-European basis. The majority of sourcing is conducted on a national basis and each operating market has its own central purchasing subsidiary that buys on behalf of its regional divisions.
Key dates / forthcoming events:
Aldi’s financial year ends in December
As a private company, Aldi is not obliged to disclose detailed financial data
Data includes Trader Joe’s in USA
Source: IGD Datacentre estimates
Sales & performance by region
Turnover (EUR) m
International & format priorities
International:
Aldi operates in multiple European countries as well as in Australia, China (online) and the USA. Aldi’s main focus will be expansion in its existing high potential markets such as the UK, USA and Australia. However, it has recently entered Italy and plans to also enter Romania.
Formats:
Aldi Nord operates a discount store concept with a limited range of around 1,500 SKU’s, c.90% of which are private label products. However, Aldi Süd has made its store concept more flexible, listing more branded products. In the UK, Aldi is testing a city format, catering to shoppers on the go with convenience-specific ranges and has launched e-commerce, whilst Aldi in Australia is rolling out a more premium looking discount store concept.
© IGD 2019
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2. Aldi Snapshot, February 2019
New marketing initiatives
See the full Aldi profile on Retail Analysis
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Must see stores
Latest developments
When?
What?
So what?
January 2019
Aldi UK and Ireland has achieved carbon neutrality
Aldi has announced that it is now carbon neutral across all its 900 stores and 11 distribution centres. In 2019 it will be offsetting the equivalent of 160,000 tonnes of emissions.
Aldi Suisse opens a store to target on-the-go shoppers
Aldi Suisse has opened its first ever store in a train station, in Lausanne. This is a new concept and location for Aldi Suisse. It shows how the retailer is becoming more flexible with its formats and locations.
Record trading for Aldi at Christmas
Aldi UK reported its best-ever Christmas, with sales close to GBP1bn sales for the month of December. Premium ranges were a key growth driver for the discounter.
Veganuary: Aldi: providing affordable plant-based solutions
On 2nd January, Aldi launched a range of new vegan products across its UK store estate. Additions include chilled ready meals, meals tailored to lunchtime missions, sweet snacks and cupboard staples.
December 2018
Aldi UK: record day of store openings
According to Retail Gazette, Aldi has opened eight new stores on the same day as it ramps up its store opening programme before the year end.
Aldi Nord & Süd, Germany
We have visited the latest stores from Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd in Germany, both demonstrating interesting developments for the retailer.
Aldi, Austria
We visited a range of discount stores in Austria. We compare in-store strategies between the leading discount retailers.
Aldi Süd, Waterloo, Sydney, Australia
This is an example of the retailer’s latest store format in Australia, showcasing a larger store footprint and new design features.
See report
See report
See report
Selected key executives
Dr Marc Heußinger
Aldi Nord Managing Director and Chairman of the Board
Theo
Albrecht Jnr
Aldi Nord Board Member and co-owner
Peter Ernst
Aldi Süd Board Member and Joint Chief Executive Officer
Max Hofmarksrichter
© IGD 2019
Source: IGD Research, Aldi