Aldi UK to launch online sales

Aldi UK to launch online sales

Aldi UK has said it will launch online sales next year, as the company announced record annual sales in 2014.

The discount supermarket chain said it would start its online service by selling wine by the case, and then add non-food offers in the spring.

Aldi said sales rose 31% to £6.9bn in the 12 months to 31 December, compared with £5.27bn the year before.

However, it said increased investments "in prices and people" saw operating profits fall to £260.3m from £271.4m.

The retailer, which currently operates 598 stores in the UK, also said it was "on track" to open 65 new stores this year.

For its online service, Aldi said it would offer customers home delivery and collection from third party locations.

Matthew Barnes, chief executive of Aldi UK & Ireland, said: "As the grocery market continues to evolve, our unique model, operational efficiency, private ownership and financial strength mean we're able to keep investing in our business - from people and presence to products and prices."

Aldi and rival discount chain Lidl have been expanding rapidly in the UK in recent years, putting pressure on the "big four" UK supermarket chains - Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons.

Aldi is the UK's sixth largest supermarket, according to analysts at Kantar Worldpanel, with a market share of 5.6% in the 12 weeks to 13 September.

 

 

Article Source: BBC News