FDBusiness.com

ALDI Ireland has completed the purchase of a new 60-acre site in County Kildare, investing €24 million in the Irish business. The site is strategically located, adjacent to the motorway network and in close proximity to ALDI’s existing distribution centre and corporate headquarters in Naas, County Kildare. ALDI said the investment is part of the business’ long term strategic growth planning.

The investment was announced as ALDI published its 2023 financial results, showing turnover growth of 3.4% to €2.102 billion. Overall profitability for the period was down slightly, as ALDI continued to invest in supporting its supplier network, managing stubborn input cost inflation and delivering value for Irish customers who are still facing cost-of-living challenges.

Last year, ALDI expanded its store network, opening six stores which was part of the capital investment of €67 million across the year. ALDI paid €197 million in wages and salary costs to colleagues and remains a market leader on pay.

ALDI 25

This year, ALDI marks 25 years in Ireland, having grown from an initial two stores in 1999 to 162 today, investing €2 billion in capital expenditure. During that time the retailer has spent more than €10 billion with Irish suppliers, and now supports a network of more than 330 Irish businesses across the country. Purchases from Irish suppliers have increased by 58% since 2019. In 25 years, ALDI has paid more than €1.3 billion in wages and today employs more than 4,650 people across every county in Ireland.

Over the course of 2024, ALDI has invested more than €40 million in over 1,000 price cuts across 850 products, reaffirming the retailer’s continued promise to remain the best value supermarket in Ireland.       

ALDI Ireland Group Managing Director Niall O’Connor commented: “This year marks 25 years of ALDI in Ireland which is a major milestone for our business. While it is a moment to look back, it is also timely to take stock and to look to the future. Specifically, ALDI’s continued growth and development in Ireland over the longer-term.”

“The retail landscape is in a new phase. The challenge for retailers and consumers of balancing affordability and costs, alongside environmental and sustainability considerations, has never been more acute. We’re more committed than ever to meeting that challenge. Being a discounter is in our DNA at ALDI and we are committed to remaining Ireland’s best value retailer.

“What is also in our DNA is planning and preparing for the medium to long term. The investment in the site in Naas means we have resources and infrastructure to support growth at the opportune time.”

In recent months, ALDI has announced significant supplier contracts with suppliers including Dawn Meats, Irish Dog Foods and Manor Farm to the value of over €190 million. The retailer also recently marked its 10-year partnership with FoodCloud donating four million meals to the charity to date.