ALDI has outlined plans to boost its investment in Scotland, including a commitment to increase its range of Scottish products from 350 to more than 400 in the next two years.
The 14% increase in products sourced from Scotland underlines the retailer’s long-standing support of Scottish producers across all sectors of the food and drink industry. ALDI currently works with over 80 Scottish suppliers – a figure which will increase as the retailer’s product range expands in the coming years.
The pledge to stock more Scottish products was announced at ALDI’s Supplier Conference in Glasgow on Thursday 8th June, attended by more than 200 delegates representing ALDI’s current Scottish suppliers.
At the conference, ALDI also unveiled plans to invest £22 million in new chill facilities at its Bathgate headquarters to service growing product ranges. The new facility will create up to 200 new jobs in the Bathgate area when ready.
By the end of 2017, ALDI’s total number of stores in Scotland will reach 78, bringing total employees in Scotland to more than 2,600. Launching at the end this month, ALDI’s new Dumfries store will be the first in Scotland to feature a new concept and design, including wider aisles and more space for fresh produce.
Giles Hurley, Group Managing Director ALDI UK & Ireland, said: “We have seen our customer numbers in Scotland increase by a staggering 280% since 2010, driven not only by the value ALDI is so well known for but by the incredible range of quality Scottish-sourced products available across all of our stores north of the border.
“ALDI has led the way with local sourcing and now has a strong reputation for having the best quality Scottish products on shelves. Over the coming years, as we increase our range of Scottish products, we expect to grow our market share considerably and attract even more shoppers into stores.”
In the past year alone, ALDI has announced significant supplier deals with Scottish companies, including:
- A £50,000 contract with Downies of Whitehills to supply ALDI stores in Scotland with freshly prepared Cullen Skink
- A £100,000 deal with Scarletts Beekeepers and Honey Packers in Perthshire to supply Scottish Blossom Honey
- Three Scottish Beer Festivals every year featuring at least 35 Scottish beers in spring, summer and winter – each Festival is worth more than £130,000 to the breweries
- £230,000 worth of Burns Night orders across all UK stores, benefitting Scottish suppliers including Highland Game, McKechnie Jess, Strathmore Foods and Bells.
The retailer’s Scottish headquarters in Bathgate has recently undergone a multimillion pound extension to house the growing Buying Team in order to support ALDI’s expansion plans and local sourcing footprint.
New stores opening by the end of 2017 include Dumfries (June), Montrose (August), Cameron Toll (August), Drumchapel (October), Oxgangs (November) and Fort William (November).
