Popular now
Debenhams Group returns to growth amid PLT recovery

Debenhams Group returns to growth amid PLT recovery

Currys appoints Fredrik Tønnesen as Group CEO

Currys appoints Fredrik Tønnesen as Group CEO

Inditex sales rise 5.8% after strong start to summer trading

Inditex sales rise 5.8% after strong start to summer trading

Aldi doubles apprenticeship funding for small businesses

Aldi doubles apprenticeship funding for small businesses

On this episode of Talking Shop I’m joined by Alain Bejjani—former Group CEO of Middle East retail giant Majid Al Futtaim, and author of the definitive new book, NEXT: Leading Through the New Realities. Drawing on his childhood in war-torn Beirut, and his experience steering a $9.5bn dollar retail and lifestyle empire through a global pandemic, Alain brings an unmatched perspective on leadership under pressure. Today, we break down his crisis survival playbook for retailers operating in distress. We discuss why resilience must always outpace efficiency, the four assets a brand must protect at all costs, and how to turn macro-turmoil into a long-term direction that scales.

Register to get free articles

No spam Unsubscribe anytime

Want unlimited access? View Plans

Already have an account? Sign in

Aldi has pledged £2m over the next two years to help small and medium-sized businesses fund a variety of industry apprenticeships.

The commitment, which forms part of the apprenticeship levy gifting scheme Aldi launched in 2021, will take the amount of apprenticeship funding the supermarket has provided to small and medium-sized enterprises to £5.5m by the end of 2027.

It is double the amount Aldi committed for over the same length of time in 2023 – a target it reached seven months early.

The fund will provide a variety of opportunities at different levels, and in settings such as nurseries, care homes, healthcare and trades.

Aldi’s apprenticeship levy gifting scheme has so far supported close to 100 smaller employers.
Earlier this year, Aldi set out plans to recruit more than 500 of its own apprentices, alongside 1,600 new store roles, during 2025.

Lisa Murphy, UK Training and Development director at Aldi UK, said: “Apprenticeships can be a potential lifeline to young people looking for that first opportunity in a competitive job market, but they are equally transformative for businesses that embrace them as well.

“We plan to ramp up the number of apprentices we recruit this year. But not all smaller businesses have the resources to invest, and it’s often these employers that could benefit the most from a well-funded programme.”

Murphy added: “Levy gifting is an excellent way for larger organisations to expand the impact of apprenticeships and we intend to use the scheme to its full potential in supporting smaller employers in our communities.”

Previous Post
Puma to relocate UK HQ from London to Manchester

Puma to relocate UK HQ from London to Manchester

Next Post
Ikea officially opens Oxford Street store

Ikea officially opens Oxford Street store