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☆ Aldi UK to increase investment as profit rises
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Sept 25 (Reuters) - The UK arm of German discount supermarket Aldi said on Monday it would increase its investment in the period to end-2024 to 1.4 billion pounds ($1.7 billion) as it reported a rise in profit in 2022. Aldi UK, Britain's fourth largest supermarket with a 10.1% market share and along with rival Lidl GB its fastest growing, said it would continue to expand its store and distribution networks, revamp existing stores and invest in technology. Earlier, this month Aldi UK opened its 1,000th store and raised its target to 1,500. Aldi UK said 2022 sales rose almost 2 billion pounds ($2.5 billion) to 15.5 billion pounds as its appeal grew during a cost of living crisis. Operating profit increased to 178.7 million pounds, versus 60.2 million pounds in 2021, representing a margin of 1.2%.

Persons: James Davey, Paul Sandle Organizations: Aldi, Lidl, Thomson Locations: COVID

☆ Slump in UK retail sales eases in September, CBI says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The CBI's September monthly retail sales survey - conducted between Aug. 25 and Sept. 13 - showed the headline balance rebound to a three-month high of -14 from August's more than two year low of -44. "There are some elements of optimism in our survey with retailers expecting the recent fall in sales to continue to ease," CBI Principal Economist Martin Sartorius said. Retailers' expected sales balance for October rose to a three-month high of -8. Britain's most recent official retail sales data showed a 0.8% month-on-month growth in sales volumes in August after a sharp 1.1% drop in July, when unusually wet weather upset normal summer spending patterns. The chief executive of supermarket Aldi UK said on Monday that cost of living concerns continued to influence food shopping habits.

Persons: Peter Nicholls, Martin Sartorius, David Milliken, Kylie MacLellan Organizations: REUTERS, of British Industry, CBI, Bank of, Aldi, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Bank of England

☆ Price-conscious Britons boost Lidl GB revenues by 19%
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] People queue outside Lidl supermarket in Streatham, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, London, Britain, March 29, 2020. Lidl GB and rival discounter Aldi UK are Britain's fastest growing grocers, according to market researcher Kantar. For the 12 months to Feb. 28, 2023, Lidl GB said it welcomed an additional 1.5 million customers, driving revenues up to 9.3 billion pounds, but the company, part of Germany's Schwarz retail group, posted a pre-tax loss of 76 million pounds ($94.97 million). Lidl GB, Britain's sixth largest supermarket with a market share of 7.6%, has in the past said it is relaxed about its relatively low profitability because of its long-term outlook. It said in a statement it had the full support of its parent company, adding it has invested 533 million pounds in Britain in the year and opened over 50 new stores.

Persons: Hannah McKay, discounter, Kantar, Germany's Schwarz, Sarah Young, James Davey, Elizabeth Piper Organizations: REUTERS, discounter Aldi, Tesco, Lidl, Thomson Locations: Streatham, London, Britain, British, Germany's

☆ Aldi is turning off lights in its UK stores to try to save customers money
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Will Gendron | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Aldi UK will be turning off lights across all of its store locations this month. The move follows a trial earlier this year, in which the discount retailer tried turning off some lights in four stores, according to The Telegraph. Initially founded in West Germany, Aldi has since expanded outside of its founding country to the tune of more than 12,000 stores across the US, UK, France, and Australia. Cutting down on energy costs is not exactly new in Europe, as energy prices have risen due to the war in Ukraine. Update: June 13, 2023 — This story was updated to clarify the lights aren't being turned off in Aldi's US stores.

Persons: — Organizations: Aldi, Service, . Discount, Telegraph, The Telegraph, Aldi UK, European Central Bank Locations: West Germany, France, Australia, Europe, Ukraine, Germany, Austria, Portugal, Denmark

☆ British supermarkets confront their German discounting demons
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

And the discounters' supermarket sweep still has a long way to run, industry executives say, with Aldi UK CEO Giles Hurley pledging Britain's lowest prices "no matter what". "Over the Christmas period alone shoppers switched 58 million pounds ($70 million)(of purchases) to Lidl from Tesco and Sainsbury's," Lidl GB CEO Ryan McDonnell told Reuters. Tesco and Sainsbury's are now matching Aldi prices on hundreds of key items and using customer loyalty schemes, while they have accepted a profit hit to keep prices down. Sector executives, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the further rise of Aldi and Lidl is inexorable. "Nobody's going to take Tesco out but at some point somebody might take Sainsbury's out," the sector veteran said.

☆ Asda retail boss Towle leaves after less than ten months
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Feb 20 (Reuters) - British supermarket group Asda said on Monday retail director Ken Towle is leaving the business less than ten months after starting the job. Asda also said on Monday it had appointed Aldi UK veteran David Hills as its new chief customer officer. Hills has been at the German-owned discounter since 2007 and is currently group director, marketing & communications. Asda said acting chief customer officer, Sam Dickson, will continue in the role until Hills arrives later this year and will then assume a strategy role for the Asda and George brands. Asda had a tough 2022 but in November reported a return to quarterly sales growth, while industry data has shown its sales growth matching that of Tesco and Sainsbury's.

☆ Britain's Tesco sticks with profit outlook after strong Christmas sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummarySummary Companies UK Q3 like-for-like sales up 4.3%Six weeks to Jan 7 UK like-for-like sales up 7.2%Expects full year profit of 2.4-2.5 bln stgHas "good momentum" going into 2023LONDON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Tesco (TSCO.L), Britain's biggest retailer, kept its full-year profit guidance after it joined rivals in reporting stronger than expected Christmas sales despite an escalating cost-of-living crisis. The supermarket group, which has a 27.5% share of Britain's grocery market, said on Thursday UK like-for-like sales rose 4.3% in its third quarter to Nov. 26 and were up 7.2% in the six weeks to Jan. 7. 2 supermarket group Sainsbury's reported a 5.9% rise in underlying sales for its Christmas quarter, while discounters Aldi UK and Lidl GB have also reported bumper Christmas sales. The group maintained its forecast for 2022-23 retail adjusted operating profit of between 2.4 billion pounds and 2.5 billion pounds ($2.9-$3.0 billion), down from the 2.65 billion pounds made in 2021-22. It expects retail free cash flow of at least 1.8 billion pounds and profit from Tesco Bank of 120-160 million pounds.

☆ Britain's Sainsbury's raises profit sights after Christmas sales rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The UK's second largest supermarket chain after Tesco (TSCO.L) had previously forecast 2022-23 underlying pre-tax profit of between 630 million and 690 million pounds ($767-$840 million). It made 730 million pounds in 2021-22. Prior to the update analysts were on average forecasting 644 million pounds, according to a company compiled consensus. Grocery sales rose 5.6%, while general merchandise sales increased by a better-than-expected 4.6%. Sainsbury's owns the Argos general merchandise business.

☆ Lidl GB expects more customers to switch from rivals after bumper Christmas
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Lidl GB, part of Germany's Schwarz retail group, said on Monday over 1.3 million more customers shopped at its stores in the seven days to Christmas Eve. Also unlike their traditional rivals, Aldi and Lidl are still opening lots of new stores. Last week Aldi UK reported a 26% increase in December sales. However, investment to keep a lid on prices has held back profit at both Aldi and Lidl. Lidl GB highlighted strong sales of Christmas vegetables sold for 19 pence a pack, Christmas puddings, prosecco, mulled wine and cheese.

☆ Factbox: How British retailers fared over cost-of-living crisis Christmas
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Jan 6 (Reuters) - British consumer spending over the Christmas period has so far held up better-than-expected, providing some relief to retailers who had feared an escalating cost-of-living crisis would hit the key holiday sales period. Only a small number of retailers have so far reported their Christmas sales. ALDI UKThe British arm of German discount supermarket group Aldi said its sales in December rose 26% compared to the previous year. B&M (BMEB.L)British discount retailer B&M said comparable sales rose 6.4% in its key Christmas quarter, showing that shoppers sought out value options as they grappled with the cost-of-living crisis. BOOTS UK (WBA.O)Health and beauty products retailer Boots UK said its December retail sales were up around 15% year-on-year, highlighting strong sales in gifting and fragrance categories.

☆ After Christmas relief UK retailers face 2023 reality check
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Ahead of Christmas, European retailers fretted that the key trading period could be the worst in at least a decade. Next, often acclaimed as a bellwether for the UK consumer economy, said it expected sales and profit to fall in 2023. The strain on Britons' household budgets is likely to begin to tell this month as Christmas credit card bills arrive. UK consumers will this year face persistent inflation in essential goods, particularly food and energy. M&S's apparel business will likely have benefited from Britain's severe cold snap in December which Next said dramatically boosted sales.

☆ Inflation drives Britain's record Christmas grocery sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Kantar said grocery price inflation was 14.4% in December, down from 14.6% in November, with prices rising fastest in markets such as milk, dog food and frozen potato products. “This is the second month in a row that grocery price inflation has fallen, raising hopes that the worst has now passed," McKevitt said. Online grocery sales rose 4%, though its share of the market fell 0.6 percentage points to 11.6%. Overall UK inflation is running at 10.7% and consumers face the prospect of a tighter squeeze in 2023, with higher taxes and mortgage rates and scaled-back government support on household energy bills. UK grocers' market share and sales growth (%)Source: Kantar($1 = 0.8345 pounds)Reporting by James Davey Editing by Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

In Germany, the HDE retail association is forecasting the strongest slump in Christmas sales since 2007, with retail sales in the crucial November-December period seen dropping by 4% year on year on a price-adjusted basis. In the United Kingdom, a raft of surveys indicate half or more Britons plan to spend less this Christmas. Should September's sharp drop in retail sales be repeated in December, it would be the worst outcome since comparable annual records began in 1989. Official data showed UK retail sales volumes, excluding fuel, dropped 6.2% year on year in September. Another association Acotex expects retailers to offer slight discounts during the holiday season as consumer demand slows.

☆ Analysis: World Cup could be nightmare before Christmas for Britain's supermarkets
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Retail executives say the World Cup, moved to the winter to avoid the intense Qatari summer temperatures, has totally thrown the algorithms they increasingly use to predict trading and plan their logistics. "It's also an executional headache, because right when you want to have everything Christmas out, you've got to somehow reflect slabs of booze and snacking for the World Cup," he said. During the last World Cup in July 2018, which coincided with a prolonged period of hot weather, shoppers visited UK supermarkets an extra 13 million times, according to market researcher Kantar. Of course, customers visiting stores to buy festive goods could buy in World Cup supplies at the same time. "It's not going to be as big as the summer World Cup, that is clear," said Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar.

☆ Aldi UK's trading accelerates as shoppers seek savings
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterAn Aldi superstore is seen in London, Britain, September 29, 2018. Privately owned Aldi (ALDIEI.UL), which earlier this month overtook Morrisons to become Britain's fourth-biggest supermarket group, said operating profit fell to 60.2 million pounds ($63.8 million) in 2021 from 287.7 million pounds in 2020. The profit fall was blamed on investment to keep prices low, higher staff costs and COVID-19 related expenses. read moreHurley said the cost of living crisis is a time "when Aldi comes into its own". ($1 = 0.9433 pounds)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by James Davey; Editing by Jason Neely and Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Aldi UK says trading strong after 2021 profit fall
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterAn Aldi superstore is seen in London, Britain, September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/LONDON, Sept 26 (Reuters) - The British arm of German discounter Aldi reported a 79% fall in 2021 operating profit but said trading had accelerated quickly in the past six months as pandemic restrictions were lifted and rising living costs affected shopping habits. Aldi (ALDIEI.UL), which earlier this month overtook Morrisons to become Britain's fourth-biggest supermarket group, said operating profit was 60.2 million pounds ($63.8 million) in 2021, down from 287.7 million pounds in 2020. The profit fall was blamed on investment in prices, staff and COVID-19 related expenses. read more($1 = 0.9433 pounds)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by James Davey, editing by Louise Heavens and Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Factbox: UK retailers raising staff pay amid cost-of-living crunch
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Toby MelvilleSept 22 (Reuters) - Retailers in Britain are looking to increase pay and attract staff in a tight labour market, as workers are increasingly taking to strike action amid a cost-of-living crisis in the country. read moreRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterMARKS & SPENCERMarks & Spencer (MKS.L) said on Sept. 21 it would pay a minimum of 10.20 pounds, up from 10.00 pounds, from Oct. 1. read moreSAINSBURY'SSainsbury's (SBRY.L) said on Sept. 13 it will from Oct. 16 pay a minimum of 10.25 pounds, up from 10.00 pounds, and 11.30 pounds in London, up from 11.05 pounds. read moreTESCORetailer Tesco (TSCO.L) in September started to offer better perks to its workers including free food and essentials. read moreMORRISONSMorrisons on June 10 said it would pay a minimum of 10.20 pounds from October, with London workers paid a minimum of 11.05 pounds.

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