Aldi enjoys record Christmas trading as grocery shoppers seek bargain prices

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Giles Hurley, chief executive of Aldi UK, said: “Although we saw strong growth across all key categories, the standout performance was in our ‘Specially Selected’ brand where shoppers treated themselves to premium products for a fraction of the price they would have paid elsewhere for similar quality products.” He also hailed the “collective commitment, energy and enthusiasm” of Aldi’s staff over the Christmas period. Aldi’s rapid growth has seen it take a 7.6 per cent slice of the UK grocery market, according to the latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel. “And as Aldi’s UK store portfolio increased by 8.5 per cent year-on-year, like-for-like sales are probably not as pleasing as it would have hoped. “Despite this, Aldi has restated its aim of 1,200 UK stores by 2025, and will continue to soak up customers from other major grocers looking to save money on food expenditure.” The broadly positive results come at a crucial time for retailers, who endured a tough 2018 and face a host of headwinds including rising business rates, a higher minimum wage and fierce competition, not least from online rivals.