Aldi is continuing its drive to recruit British suppliers with the launch of ‘Grow With Aldi’, a competition that aims to uncover and ultimately stock new products from small and medium food and drink businesses across the UK.
The discounter is calling for applicants to compete for a spot on its shelves. From bakers and chocolatiers, to cheese makers and alcohol producers, shortlisted suppliers will visit Aldi’s headquarters to showcase their products to a judging panel.
After a process of deliberation, the judges will decide on the winning products, which will be launched as Specialbuys in Aldi’s 950 UK stores.
The launch follows the retailer’s 2021 Grow With Aldi spirits competition, which saw Penrhos Gin, a Herefordshire-based fruit farmer turned craft gin distillery, have its product stocked in Aldi stores nationwide. The 18,000-bottle order was the largest of its kind for the distillery.
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, commented: “From entrepreneurial farmers with flair in the kitchen to tabletop businesses that are going from strength to strength, we can’t wait to see the best of British food and drink producers.
“More than three-quarters of our sales come from British suppliers, and we are constantly exploring ways in which we can further support small local businesses. That’s why we are delighted to be extending Grow With Aldi. To be able to offer a platform to showcase new food and drink products to the nation is incredibly exciting.
“We look forward to working with new suppliers and continuing in our mission to offer shoppers high quality, fresh products at the best possible prices.”
The multi-category competition is part of Aldi’s commitment to locally sourced products. It claims to have invested an extra £1.6bn with British suppliers since the start of the pandemic, including £125m spent with meat, poultry and dairy farmers in the UK.
The discounter recently reaffirmed its pledge to prioritise home-grown suppliers, with it working towards spending an additional £3.5bn a year with British businesses by the end of 2025.
NAM Implications:
- “More than three-quarters of our sales come from British suppliers”!!
- And this initiative adds more…
- Action-Time for suppliers that feel they could be missing a discounter-trick?
