Register to get free articles
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
Aldi has announced that it is planning on creating more than 2,000 new jobs next year and investing £1.3bn in a bid to further accelerate its stores, as the retailer’s trading continues to be steady.
The announcement comes amid a recent trading update for the full-year ending December 2020, where is saw its pre-tax profits drop marginally to £264.8m from £271.5m.
The group, which also returned its business rate relief in full to HM Treasury, said profits had been “dampened” by its continued investment in price and the cost of responding to the pandemic, citing that it had “put people before profits” and focused on “feeding the nation”.
Despite the dip, sales throughout the period grew 10.2% to £13.5bn compared with £12.3bn the previous year.
Giles Hurley, CEO for Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Despite some of the most difficult conditions our sector has ever seen, our people underlined the strength, success and spirit of our business.
“As well as delivering record sales, we continued to invest for growth, deploying over £600m in stores and distribution centres across the UK.Whilst the cost of responding to the pandemic dampened profits, our decision to return business rate relief was the right thing to do.”
He added: “By redefining the discount supermarket in the UK, creating more places and more ways to shop with us, we are excited to provide millions of new customers with access to Aldi’s award-winning quality and unbeatable value.”
