Aldi is giving store colleagues in Edinburgh a pay increase for the second time this year, maintaining its position as the UK’s best-paying supermarket.
From September, all hourly paid colleagues at its Edinburgh stores will receive an increase of 40p an hour on their current hourly rate, taking Aldi’s minimum pay rates for Store Assistants to a sector-leading £10.50 an hour nationally and £11.95 for those inside the M25.
Aldi also remains the only supermarket to offer paid breaks, which for the average store colleague is now worth more than £830 a year.
The new rates far exceed the Living Wage Foundation’s recommended real living wage of £9.90 an hour nationally and £11.05 inside the M25.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Our new rates of pay maintain Aldi’s position as the UK’s highest paying supermarket.
“This announcement recognises the amazing contribution our colleagues make in serving the local communities in Edinburgh. Their outstanding efforts have ensured that our customers continue to have access to fresh affordable food, every single day.”
Aldi is the UK’s fifth-largest supermarket and has more than 970 stores across Britain.
27th in-store festival brings together twelve of Scotland’s best breweries
Aldi Scotland has unveiled the line-up for its 27th Scottish Beer Festival, giving customers the perfect excuse to enjoy the warmer weather with some ice-cold brews.
The festival is set to showcase 25 craft beers from five regions in Scotland, including the central belt, Aberdeen, Glasgow, the Highlands, and Edinburgh and the Lothians, giving customers the opportunity to sample locally produced, top-quality brews at everyday prices.
Kicking off in-store from Thursday 28th July, the festival will take place across all of Aldi’s 103 Scottish stores in a deal worth over £86,000 to the breweries involved.
Aldi customers across Scotland can enjoy everything from Indian lager and a citrus pale ale from Aberdeen-based Fierce Beer to Loch Ness Brewing’s rich, chocolate stout. Refreshing IPAs from Glasgow Beer Works and a tarte mango sour from Edinburgh’s Cold Town will also feature as part of the summer beer festival.
Aldi is the UK’s Cheapest Supermarket 2021 according to Which? And offers outstanding deals on locally sourced, Scottish beer products, without scrimping on the quality.
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said:“Our Scottish Beer Festivals are always a big event in the Aldi Scotland calendar. I’m proud that the relationships we have built with Scottish brewers over the years mean that we can showcase some truly excellent beers to a wider audience, while maintaining everyday amazing Aldi prices.
“The summer event will have beers from five different corners of Scotland, showcasing the breadth of talented producers we have on our doorstep.
“I am also very pleased that a number of these beers are exclusive to Aldi Scotland. With something for everyone to enjoy, I am sure our customers will enjoy the chance to try the variety of unique brews in this summer’s line-up.”
Celebrating the 10th year of Scottish Beer Festivals, products will be available in store from 28th July. Visit aldi.co.uk/scottishbeerfestival to find out more. You can find your nearest Aldi here.
Full list of breweries and product featured in Aldi’s Scottish Beer Festival:
Brewdog
Punk AF £1.49 (330ml, 0.5% ABV)
Dead Pony Club £1.49 (330ml, 3.8% ABV)
Hazy Jane £1.49 (330ml, 5.0% ABV)
Cairngorm Brewing Company
Black Gold £1.79 (500ml, 4.4% ABV)
Cairngorm Gold £1.59 (500ml, 4.5% ABV)
Cold Town Brew
New England IPA £1.79 (440ml, 5.5% ABV)
Peachy Summer Ale £1.79 (440ml, 4.1% ABV)
Mango Sour £1.79 (440ml, 4.3% ABV)
Fierce Beer
Indian Lager £1.79 (440ml, 5.0% ABV)
Citrus Pale Ale £1.79 (440ml, 5.0% ABV)
Glasgow Beer Works
Session IPA £1.79 (440ml, 3.2% ABV)
West Coast IPA £1.79 (440ml, 4.5% ABV)
Harviestoun
Heaven Cent £1.49 (330ml, 4.6% ABV)
Ptarmigan £1.79 (500ml, 4.5% ABV)
The Ridge Pale Ale £1.79 (500ml, 5.0% ABV)
Innis & Gunn
Lager £1.95 (660ml, 4.6% ABV)
Loch Lomond Brewery
Cuban Heels Pale Ale £1.79 (440ml, 4.5% ABV)
Slave to the Rhythm £1.79 (500ml, 4.0%)
Loch Ness Brewing
Darkness Stout £1.79 (500ml, 4.4% ABV)
Lightness Pale Ale £1.59 (500ml, 3.8% ABV)
Stewart Brewing
Island Getaway Kettle Sour £1.79 (440ml, 3.5% ABV)
Aldi has announced it is looking to hire 119 people in its warehouse in West Lothian over the next 12 months.
In a welcome boost to the local economy, the UK’s fifth-largest supermarket is also looking to fill transport and maintenance roles at its West Lothian Regional Distribution Centre.
This includes both full-time and part-time positions, with salaries of up to £15 per hour.
The recruitment push forms part of Aldi’s nationwide expansion drive, with the supermarket expected to create 2,000 permanent roles across the UK this year.
Kelly Stokes, Recruitment Director at Aldi UK, said: “As we continue to grow and make Aldi accessible to even more shoppers, we need more amazing colleagues at our distribution sites across the country to make that possible.
“As well as market-leading pay and benefits, being an Aldi colleague means a great working environment and real opportunities to progress within the business. We look forward to welcoming even more great people to our West Lothian distribution team to become a part of our success.”
Those interested in applying for a career with Aldi can visit:
The winner of Aldi’s Supermarket Sweep in Edinburgh has raised £1,256.02 for a local foodbank while picking up over £600 in Aldi favourites for herself.
Aldi’s popular Supermarket Sweep recently arrived in Edinburgh and lucky shopper Ame Robertson, who was chosen as the winner of an in-store competition, took part in the five-minute trolley dash for charity on Wednesday 22 June.
As well as taking home a trolley full of goodies, Ame successfully found the hidden inflatable in store, meaning Aldi Scotland doubled the total value of her haul and donated the lump sum to her nominated charity, Edinburgh City Mission.
Aldi Supermarket Sweep winner, Ame Robertson, said:“I was surprised to be drawn to take part in the sweep, as I’m not usually that lucky.
“The five minutes passed really quickly, but I am very pleased with what I was able to pick up and the amount that was donated to the food bank, especially in these challenging times.
“Thank you to Aldi again, I had the best time!”
Duncan Cuthill, CEO, Edinburgh City Mission, said:“We are very pleased to have been chosen as the recipient for money raise through the Supermarket Sweep at Aldi Hermiston Gait. The cost-of-living crisis is a daily reality for all of us, but it is having the biggest impact of lower income families.
“Our Foodbank+ network of seven foodbanks in and around Edinburgh has seen a big increase in the number of people who are in crisis and need short-term food support this year.
“We are grateful to our volunteers who provide a warm welcome and friendship in each Foodbank+ and to our many donors who enable us to provide food and other household essentials. Thank you once again to Aldi Hermiston Gait for the support.
Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Scotland, said:“We are proud that the Aldi Supermarket Sweep is a firm favourite across the country, and we are so pleased to bring it back this year.
“Congratulations to Ame who managed to raise an incredible £1,256.02 for Edinburgh City Mission and snap up a whole load of Aldi treats for herself.”
Aldi is on the hunt for new store locations in Edinburgh as part of its rapid expansion drive.The priority areas where it is looking include Bonnyrigg and Drylaw.
Aldi, which already has more than 960 stores across the UK, is looking for freehold town-centre or edge-of-town sites that are around 1.5 acres.
Each site should be able to accommodate a 20,000 sq foot store with around 100 parking spaces. Ideally the location will be near a main road with good visibility and access.
The UK’s fifth-largest supermarket even offers a finder’s fee for people who recommend a site, including members of the public – which is either 1.5% of a freehold price or 10% of the first year’s rent for leasehold sites.
George Brown, National Property Director at Aldi UK, said: “By opening more Aldi stores, we can provide affordable, high-quality food to even more people.
“But despite our growth in recent years, some people still don’t have access to a local store, which is why it is our mission to continue on with our ambitious plans and change that.
“Our finder’s fee is available to anyone who can find Aldi an appropriate site so we’d encourage people to share any suitable suggestions and get it touch.”
Aldi Scotland is returning to the Royal Highland Show with its biggest presence ever as it continues to bolster its support of local Scottish suppliers.
After a two-year hiatus, this year’s Royal Highland Show will celebrate its 200th anniversary, returning to Ingliston to showcase the best of Scotland’s food, farming, and rural life.
To mark the occasion, Aldi Scotland will showcase 22 of its popular suppliers from all over the country, giving visitors the chance to try a range of Scotland’s best quality products; from Angus Soft Fruits’ delicious Scottish berries (above) to a variety of Robertson’s Fine Foods’ Specially Selected Sausages. A selection of Brownings the Bakers’ most-loved meat and vegetable pies and baked goods will also be on offer.
Visitors to the Aldi Scotland marquee can also try locally produced Scottish Buffalo Mozzarella following the retailer’s recent deal with Fife-based The Buffalo Farm.
Made from the milk of grass-fed water buffalo, which are selected from the best herds across Europe, The Buffalo Farm’s Mozzarella is sumptuously creamy, full of flavour, and has a wonderfully soft texture.
The popular budget retailer, which was named the UK’s Cheapest Supermarket in 2021 by Which?, is renowned for its relationship with Scottish suppliers and championing of local produce. Aldi Scotland currently works with over 90 local suppliers, stocking 450 Scottish products, and is constantly on the lookout to bring more of Scotland’s vibrant food and drink industry to its 102 Scottish stores.
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “The Royal Highland Show is a huge event in the Aldi Scotland calendar, and one that we have really missed over the past couple of years. Everyone is looking forward to returning this year and celebrating the very best produce that Scotland has to offer.
“At Aldi Scotland, we are incredibly proud of the strong relationships we have developed with our Scottish suppliers over the years which allow us to consistently provide exceptionally high-quality products at everyday low prices.
“I am so pleased to be welcoming back visitors to our stand this year and am grateful to our suppliers who allow us to showcase the very best of Scotland’s larder.”
This year’s Royal Highland Show runs from Thursday 23rd June until Sunday 26th June at Ingliston, Edinburgh.
Toradh Seville Orange Floured Gin hits shelves for just £14.99
Aldi Scotland is adding to its range of own brand premium gin, with the addition of the new Toradh (pronounced Tor-ig) Seville Orange Flavour Gin.
Hitting shelves across all 102 Aldi Scotland stores, it is the latest Scottish gin to be offered by the value supermarket selling for just £14.99 for a 70cl bottle.
The perfect way to be-gin summer, the new addition to the Toradh range is a rich and vibrant gin, bursting with flavour. Boasting notes of light lemongrass and a delicate, floral orange blossom, when topped with ice and a cold splash of Ridge Valley Tonic Water (500ml, £0.99) customers get an incredibly smooth and delightful G&T with a fruity twist.
The Seville Orange Flavoured Gin is the sixth edition in Aldi Scotland’s own brand premium Toradh range, which also includes Plum and Pink Grapefruit Gin; Tropical Gin and the classic Original Gin, meaning Scots shoppers have an incredible selection to choose from.
The range is inspired by Scotland’s natural landscapes and its world-class larder. ‘Toradh’, meaning ‘produce’ in Gaelic, celebrates Scotland’s fertile lands and the abundance of fine ingredients grown here.
Aldi Scotland pride themselves in working with a wide range of Scottish suppliers who are passionate about bringing the best of Scotland’s vibrant food and drink industry to their customers.
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland said:“Our Toradh Gin range is already incredibly popular, and the Seville Orange Flavour Gin will make the perfect addition to the collection.
“It is an incredibly refreshing drink, bursting with flavour and vibrant notes, that is sure to delight our customers.
“Scotland has such a rich abundance of fresh ingredients, which is almost unmatched by any other country in the world. Our Toradh range was created in homage to our land and to the fresh produce grown here, and we are fortunate to work with such a high calibre of suppliers to bring it to shelves.”
This week Masterchef winner and acclaimed Scottish chef, Gary Maclean, made an outstanding claim that ‘masterpiece’ Mortons rolls were deserving of more than just a classic lorne sausage, and Aldi Scotland agrees.
Adding to the debate, the leading value supermarket has lined up three of its top selling products it thinks are worthy of Scotland’s favourite crispy roll.
Smokey, succulent and sweet, this Macaulay’s Ham Hough falls off the bone, creating a filling worthy of Scotland’s top chef. The producer is one of 90 Scottish suppliers working with Aldi to bring the best of Scotland’s larder to it’s customers.
Even better, its big enough to feed 4, meaning the whole family can enjoy.
Aldi Smoked Salmon slices which come in a punchy, yet light mustard and dill dressing, are the perfect posh bite for those looking for some ‘roll reversal’.
For just £1.99, it will add a layer of luxury to your lunch for no more than the cost of a roll at your local van.
Aldi Scotland’s experts have curated a selection of recipes to feed the family on a budget
Leading value supermarket, Aldi Scotland, has revealed a selection of healthy and budget-friendly lunch options all ranging between £4 and £8.
Whether you’re working from home, in the office, or packing up lunchboxes to go, Aldi Scotland’s three delicious low-cost lunch options are the perfect mid-day meal, and are all made using the finest, locally sourced ingredients.
With Aldi’s generous portion sizes, each meal can feed up to a family of four, with options to stretch the ingredients across recipes to make the most of what is in the fridge and reduce food waste.
Mediterranean style salad with sweet potato and chicken – £4.41
With one sweet potato containing 400% of your daily required Vitamin A, low in calories and fat, while also being high in fibre, this superfood offers a nutritional yet comforting mid-week meal that is budget-friendly at only 99p per bag at Aldi Scotland.
Chop the sweet potatoes into chunks and cook in the oven alongside tomatoes, onions, and diced Scottish Chicken Breast Fillets (£1.85) for a Mediterranean style lunch packed full of goodness. Toss in some iceberg lettuce and season with salt and pepper to ignite the flavours.
Nature’s Pick Sweet Potatoes – 1kg – 99p
Nature’s Glen Scottish Chicken Breast Fillets – 300g – £1.85
Nature’s Pick Iceberg Lettuce – 46p
Everyday Essentials Cherry Tomatoes – 250g – 48p
Everyday Essentials Red Onions – 1kg – 63p
Baked potato with ham and veg medley, plus a fruity dessert – £7.65
Pick up a four pack of Nature’s Pick Medium Baking Potatoes for only 42p for the perfect base, which will complement a variety of delicious and interchangeable toppings. For this recipe, Aldi Scotland suggests creating a medley of Nature’s Glen Ayrshire Cured Cooked Ham (£1.69), cherry tomatoes (48p) and red onions(63p). Top with a sprinkling of Glen Lochy Scottish Mature Cheddar (£1.89) this will become a firm family favourite for only £5.11.
Looking to bulk it out for hungry mouths? Add a dollop of Rowan Glen’s Greek Style Natural Yoghurt (55p) to your topping mixture and use the left-over yoghurt for an after-lunch snack piled with Aldi Scotland’s Nature’s Pick Fresh Scottish Strawberries for only £1.99 taking your final total for lunch and dessert to just £7.65.
Nature’s Pick Medium Baking Potatoes – 4 pack – 42p
Nature’s Glen Ayrshire Cured Cooked Ham – 125g – £1.69
Even the healthiest eaters need some carbs now and again – so why not treat your family, and your wallet, to a classic fan favourite – a chicken BLT sandwich for only £5.92 with enough ingredients to feed six people.
Finely slice Aldi Scotland’s Scottish Chicken Breast Fillets (£1.85) and Specially Selected Scottish Bacon (£1.99,240g), mix in a splash of mayonnaise (59p), before loading up Authentic Scottish Bakeries Wholemeal Rolls (55p) with a layer of iceberg lettuce (46p) and some cherry tomatoes (48p).
At Aldi Scotland salads can be as cheap and delicious as they are good for you, so make sure to use your leftovers wisely – chop up your remaining iceberg lettuce and throw on what’s left of the bacon, chicken and tomatoes for a quick and easy salad, offering another meal for four at no additional cost. Top tip: cut the remaining rolls into squares, drizzle with oil and salt and bake for home-made salad crouton for some extra crunch.
Nature’s Glen Scottish Chicken Breast Fillets – 300g – £1.85
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said:“With the cost of a weekly shop more important that ever, we are delighted to work with local producers to offer such a wide range of healthy weekly meal solutions that all the family can enjoy. Our customers don’t have to compromise quality for value when they chose to shop with us.”
Aldi currently works with over 90 Scottish suppliers, stocking 450 Scottish products and are constantly looking to bring more of what Scotland’s vibrant food and drink industry has to offer to their customers.
Aldi Scotland’s hugely popular Supermarket Sweep has returned for another year and customers in Edinburgh have the chance to raise as much money as possible for a local foodbank of their choosing.
Guaranteed to be the most fun anyone can have while doing the weekly shop, Edinburgh residents have the opportunity to pick up their favourite items from Aldi’s store in the Hermiston Gait Retail Park.
Launched in 2016, Aldi’s Supermarket Sweep gives shoppers the chance to do a five-minute trolley dash and take home all the Aldi favourites they can grab in that time, with Aldi donating the cash value of the trolley to a local foodbank.
The lucky shopper also has a chance to double this cash donation and take home a SpecialBuy item of their choice* if they successfully find a hidden inflatable in-store.
Edinburgh residents can apply for the Supermarket Sweep from Monday 2nd to Sunday 8th May.
Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Scotland, said: “The Supermarket Sweep is an event in the Aldi calendar that we all look forward to. We are so pleased to be bringing the initiative back for another year and offer one lucky Edinburgh resident the chance to have a shopping experience like no other.
“Foodbanks across Scotland have worked tirelessly over the last two years to help those who need their services the most. Last year we donated almost £9,000 to foodbanks through Supermarket Sweep and we want to build on this in 2022.
“From St Andrews to Inverness and Cumnock to Dundee, our Supermarket Sweeps will be taking place across the country. Not only are they a fun way to raise as much money as we can for local foodbanks, but they also give our loyal customers the opportunity to stock up on their favourite Aldi products.”
Shoppers will be asked to nominate their chosen foodbank when applying to take part. Entrants must be over 18 years old to take part, and alcohol products are not included in the sweep.
Entry is free and customers can apply in-store or by emailing:
