Discount supermarket chain Aldi has become the latest organisation to join the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) membership.
Aldi started trading in the UK in 1990 and now has 430 stores with a turnover of nearly £1.5 billion. It recently announced an ambitious store opening programme to achieve a total of 1,500 outlets. The latest TNS Worldpanel figures showed a 19 per cent sales rise for Aldi in the latest 12 week period, as the discount retailers take hold.
The BRC Retail Consortium represents retailers responsible for 80 per cent of UK retail spending, and represents the entire range of retailing.
Paul Foley, Aldi group managing director (UK and Ireland), said: “As we continue to expand rapidly and take a greater share of food retailing in the UK, we’ve joined the BRC for their excellent links with politicians in Westminster, Edinburgh and Brussels, and their knowledge of the policy areas that impact most on our business.
“Retailers need a single strong voice which I believe is what the BRC provides and I can see the benefits to Aldi of taking part in the BRC’s effective campaigning.”
Stephen Robertson, BRC director general, said: “Aldi represents an important part of the UK grocery market and I’m very pleased we will be able to represent their viewpoint. Aldi join a wide range of BRC members, large to small, food and non-food, those based in town centres, out-of-town and online.
“Aldi’s growing popularity will provide useful input in the BRC’s dialogue with decision makers, particularly in our key lobbying areas such as food and the environment. With increased membership, our call to remove unnecessary regulations, which ultimately feed into higher prices for customers, becomes stronger.”
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