Aldi UK December sales hit record high
Aldi UK shared record results for the four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve, saying sales were up 10.6% versus a year ago.
The retailer said shoppers were buying up more premium products during the period including more sales around Aldi’s beer, wine and spirits, selling 4.5 million bottles of champagne, sparkling wine and prosecco, and increased sales of its premium Specially Selected Exquisite British Hand-Finished Chesham Bronze Turkey, Specially Selected Damson Plum and Pink Gin Pudding and its Specially Selected Mini Mince Pies.
Online sales were up 75% in the month of December and the retailer saw customers ordering through its partnership with Deliveroo. The retailer has more than 900 stores in the United Kingdom but has a large expansion plan to open an average of one new store a week over the coming years as it targets 1,200 stores by 2025.
“We had a record Christmas with unprecedented demand for our award-winning products as customers pushed the boat out more than ever before,” said Giles Hurley, CEO of Aldi UK. “We are expecting significant sales growth this year as we open new stores and bring Aldi to more locations across the U.K. With the vast majority of our grocery products now coming from British suppliers, our growth will lead to additional jobs and investment in our U.K. supply chain."
Adding to its premium products, the retailer also launched new meals this month under its SlimWell line that aim to help shoppers stick to that age-old New Year’s resolution to slim down. The ready-to-cook entrees are low calorie, with a dozen in the line already.
Aldi UK added new flavors such as SlimWell Sausage and Bean Casserole, SlimWell Oven Chips, SlimWell Korean Beef Noodles, and SlimWell Meatballs and Pasta. The meals range from as low as £1.69 in price and 124 calories per portion.