Aldi, the German discount grocery retailer, is reportedly planning to launch an online shopping service in the UK.
For years Aldi has spurned online shopping saying supply chain and logistical issues make online sales unprofitable. To date, possibly its only online service globally is the delivery of alcoholic drinks in Australia, since 2013.
But The Telegraph reports both Aldi South and Aldi North are now evaluating eCommerce offers, Aldi South in Britain and possibly Germany, Aldi North in Spain and Portugal. The Telegraph cited German trade magazine Lebensmittel Zeitung as its source.
“eCcommerce is not an immediate focus for Aldi as we currently have the best performing business model in the grocery sector,” said an Aldi spokesperson in response.
“However, it is an area we monitor as part of our customer-focused approach.”
Aldi is taking an increasing share of the UK grocery market, mostly at the expense of Tesco and Asda, and in March announced plans to open a further 70 stores in Great Britain this year, taking its network beyond 600.
Online now accounts for about five per cent of UK’s total grocery sales and IGD forecasts sales will double in the European markets of Germany, France, Britain, Switzerland and Holland between 2012 and 2016.
