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UP TO £400 IN SHOPPING VOUCHERS AND FREE PRODUCTS UP FOR GRABS
Aldi has announced it is on the lookout for parents in Edinburgh and the Lothians to join its new Aldi Parent Panel – offering families the chance to bag up to £400 in shopping vouchers and free products, in return for their valuable input into future family focused products and initiatives.
Aldi, who was recently named as Supermarket of the Year at the 2026 Loved By Parents Awards, is inviting parents of children ranging from babies through to teenagers to apply, with successful applicants reflecting the diversity of family life across the UK.
Those selected will be asked to take part in short surveys and product reviews at key points throughout the year, helping to inform Aldi’s family-focused initiatives and wider customer experience. In return, parents will receive £100 in Aldi vouchers every time they complete a survey, alongside free Mamia products and selected Specialbuys.
In total, 10 parents from across the UK will be selected to take part in the panel.
Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said: “Families rely on Aldi every day, and it’s important that we continue to listen to what really matters to them. The Aldi Parent Panel gives parents from across the UK the opportunity to play a role in shaping how we support families – from the products we offer to the experience we provide in-store and beyond.
“We want the panel to reflect families of all shapes, sizes and experiences, so we can continue delivering the quality and value Aldi is known for.”
Parents who would like to apply to join the Aldi Parent Panel are invited to submit either a short written application (up to 200 words) or a short video explaining why they would like to take part.
Applications should be sent to aldiparentpanel@aldi.co.uk by Wednesday 15th April 2026.
For more information, please visit: https://www.aldipresscentre.co.uk/terms-and-conditions-for-aldi-parent-panel-the-panel/
The launch of the Aldi Parent Panel follows the return of the Mamia New Parent Fund for 2026, which will see Aldi will give away £100 vouchers every week for 12 months – totalling £5,200 – to help parents cover the cost of essentials including nappies, wipes, baby food pouches and toiletries.
Six Scottish food and drink suppliers are celebrating after being named winners of Scotmid’s Scottish Favourites competition, securing the opportunity to have their products listed in Scotmid stores in 2026.
Launched as part of Scottish Food & Drink September 2025, the competition is designed to support local producers by raising their profile, opening routes into retail, and bringing innovative Scottish food and drink products to convenience shoppers in Edinburgh.
The recent competition, once again run in partnership with Scotland Food & Drink, attracted a strong field of entries from producers based across Scotland, reflecting the continued strength, diversity and quality of the nation’s food and drink sector.
With “Innovation” set as the theme, producers were challenged to submit products that offered something new, imaginative and distinctive. From retro-inspired favourites and globally influenced flavours to on-trend dairy and healthier snacking options, this year’s winning line-up highlights the breadth of ideas currently shaping the market.
Following a rigorous judging process, six suppliers were selected as winners. The successful suppliers, their locations and winning products are:
Each winning supplier will receive a Scotmid listing, with products expected to launch across selected stores during 2026, subject to final ranging and rollout plans.
Steven Addison, Local Sourcing Manager at Scotmid, said: “Our Scottish Favourites competition has grown year on year and is now a recognised route to market for Scottish producers. As ever, selecting the winners was a real challenge, with a high standard of creativity and quality across the entries.
“We’re proud to support local suppliers and help innovative brands take the next step in their retail journey. This year’s winners demonstrate just how dynamic and forward-thinking the sector is, and we’re looking forward to working with them as their products launch in our stores in 2026.”
Angus Bell at Scotland Food & Drink, added: “Scottish Favourites continues to provide an important opportunity for ambitious producers to engage with retail and showcase their products to a wider audience.
“Scotmid’s commitment to local sourcing and to championing innovation plays a valuable role in supporting the growth of Scotland’s food and drink sector and Scotland Food and Drink are delighted to have partnered with Scotmid again.
“The winners combine creativity with commercial appeal. Whether reinventing familiar favourites or responding to emerging consumer demands, these businesses are helping to grow our brilliant food and drink sector in Scotland”
Scotmid and Scotland Food & Drink would like to thank all producers who entered the competition and congratulate the winning suppliers on their success.
Corstorphine First Aid Support and Training is celebrating after being selected by Tesco customers to receive a £1,500 donation.
Shoppers at Tesco Extra Corstorphine voted for local community causes using Tesco’s famous blue voting tokens, with three groups receiving cash grants as part of the supermarket’s Stronger Starts campaign.
Corstorphine First Aid Support and Training was one of three local charities that customers voted for, receiving £1,500 as part of the scheme after receiving the most votes.
The winning charity is comprised entirely of volunteers, who are trained in first aid techniques and provide medical cover for events in Edinburgh and beyond, as well as first aid training to businesses and community groups.
The funds will allow the group to purchase essential first aid equipment so they can continue first aid training and help to keep people safe.
Dominic Burns, Chair at Corstorphine First Aid Support and Training, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this funding as part of the Tesco Stronger Starts campaign, and would like to thank our local community for their votes.
“Corstorphine First Aid is a community focused charity and this money will be used to support our activity in teaching and providing life saving first aid skills to people across Edinburgh.”
The other groups to receive grant funding from the store’s Stronger Starts blue token votes include The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland [RZSS] and Corstorphine Primary School, as well as Fox Covert Primary School.
The funding will support RZSS and Corstorphine Primary school in their joint initiative, which sees representatives from Edinburgh Zoo get the pupils involved with nature and animals through educational demonstrations within the school.
The grant awarded to Fox Covert Primary School, will support the school’s breakfast club, ensuring that all pupils can have a healthy snack and a good start to their day.
Stronger Starts helps schools and children’s groups provide nutritious food and healthy activities that support young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing, such as breakfast clubs or snacks, as well as purchasing equipment for healthy activities.
Deborah Brown, Community Champion at Tesco Corstorphine Extra, said: “Our Tesco team would like to thank all of our customers for their help in supporting these three fantastic causes through our Stronger Starts campaign.
“Every vote helps us to provide funding to groups making a difference in our community.”
Claire De Silva, Head of Communities at Tesco said: “We are incredibly proud to award Stronger Starts grants to over one hundred schools and local projects, supporting the vital work they do for our children and communities.
“Since we launched our grants programme in 2016, more than £120 million has been given to more than 67,000 local schools and community groups.”
RETURN OF MAMIA NEW PARENT FUND
Aldi commits to supporting families with the return of its Mamia New Parent Fund for 2026, following the success of the programme last year, which saw thousands of parents apply.
Now in its second year, the Mamia New Parent Fund will continue supporting new parents with the cost of everyday essentials after welcoming a new baby, with nearly a fifth (17%) of new parents saying recurring nappy purchases are among the biggest, unexpected costs.
The supermarket is giving away £100 Aldi vouchers every week in Edinburgh throughout 2026, totalling £5,200 to be used on everything from nappies and wipes to baby food and toiletries.
The news comes as Aldi unveils new data showing the significant savings available to parents who choose Mamia nappies. Parents using Mamia nappies could save up to £380 over the first year compared with leading branded equivalents*.
The return of the fund reinforces the UK’s fourth largest supermarket’s ongoing commitment to helping families make their money go further through the Mamia range, which offers award-winning quality at unbeatable prices.
Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said: “We know that welcoming a baby brings immense joy, but it can also bring unexpected financial challenges at a time when every penny counts.
“The response to last year’s Fund showed us just how much parents value this support, with thousands applying. That’s why we’re bringing the Mamia New Parent Fund back for 2026 to continue giving families a helping hand with those everyday essentials.”
Aldi’s Mamia range includes nappies, wipes, baby food and toiletries, all rigorously tested to meet the same high standards as branded equivalents but at a fraction of the cost.
Aldi was named Supermarket of the Year by Mother&Baby, confirming that families can trust Aldi to deliver unbeatable value across their entire shop.
New parents who want to apply for Aldi’s Mamia New Parent Fund should email mamiaparentfund@aldi.co.ukwith a receipt showing their latest Mamia purchase. One family will be chosen each week throughout 2026 to receive a £100 voucher to spend in any UK Aldi store.
For full terms and conditions, visit:
Aldi store colleagues across Edinburgh are set to receive market-leading rates of pay as part of a £36 million investment in pay and benefits by the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket.
From Sunday 1st March 2026, starting pay for Store Assistants in Edinburgh will rise to £13.35 per hour, rising to £14.30 per hour based on length of service.
Aldi is also increasing pay rates for Store Apprentices in Edinburgh to £12.02 per hour. These rates are significantly higher than the minimum wage for a first-year apprentice.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Our colleagues are at the heart of everything we do. Their hard work and dedication is what allows us to offer customers the quality, value and service they expect from Aldi.
“That’s why we’re making such a significant investment in our promise to never be beaten on pay for our colleagues.”
All Aldi colleagues will see their pay rise over the coming months, as well as receiving enhanced family-friendly benefits, with maternity pay extended to 26 weeks at full pay.
Aldi also remains the only supermarket to offer paid breaks to all its store colleagues – a benefit worth up to £1,470 a year to store colleagues.
Those interested in a career with Aldi can visit www.aldirecruitment.co.uk for more information.
Families in towns across Scotland are paying up to £2,437 more per year on their grocery shopping simply because they lack access to a discount supermarket, new analysis from Aldi reveals.
The findings form part of Aldi’s national review of towns facing the steepest postcode penalty, with shoppers in places such as Cathcart in Glasgow missing out on the savings enjoyed by those with access to Aldi.
The analysis shows that households without access to Aldi – which has been named the UK’s Cheapest Supermarket by consumer champion Which? for the past five years – pay £826 more on average, rising to £2,437 in areas dominated by the highest-priced supermarkets.
These figures are based on the average monthly cost difference between Aldi and either the average major UK supermarkets, or the most expensive UK supermarket, using the prices of a typical 68-item shopping basket tracked by Which?*.
Across the UK, Aldi has mapped 220 locations where shoppers are disproportionately affected by this postcode penalty.
In Scotland, this includes towns such as Cathcart, Bonnyrigg, Clarkston, Barnton (? – Ed.) and Largs where residents are paying more for identical groceries because no discount supermarket is available locally.
Jonathan Neale, Managing Director of National Real Estate at Aldi UK, said: “No one should pay more for their weekly shop simply because of where they live. We believe every household should have access to high-quality, affordable food.
“With household budgets under intense pressure, local access to a discounter isn’t just convenient – it can save families hundreds of pounds a year. These findings show that expanding access to Aldi is one of the simplest ways to reduce the cost of living for many.”
Aldi has invested £650 million across Britain through its store opening and refurbishment programme in 2025, with each new site creating around 40 jobs.
The discounter also recently announced it would be doubling down on its investment in Britain with a £1.6 billion commitment over the next two years, opening 40 stores each year as it moves towards its ambition to have 1,500 UK stores.
Aldi Scotland is giving primary school pupils in Edinburgh the chance to enjoy a truly traditional Burns Supper, complete with all the trimmings, including a bagpiper.
The UK’s Cheapest Supermarket 2024 is set to host its first-ever Great Scottish Supper, with one primary school class winning an unforgettable Robert Burns celebration.
As one of the country’s biggest supporters of Scottish food and drink, Aldi Scotland is encouraging the next generation to sample some of the nation’s most-loved dishes while taking part in celebrations that honour Scotland’s national poet.
Schools across the country are invited to take part, with one primary school class set to receive everything they need to host a memorable Burns Day feast, including the traditional haggis, neeps and tatties, as well as more contemporary dishes such as haggis bon bons and vegetarian haggis. A bagpiper will also perform the ceremonial piping-in of the haggis.
To participate, primary school classes of any age are invited to submit original Scots poems, giving pupils the opportunity to engage creatively with Scottish heritage and literature in true Burns style.
Poems should capture the spirit and traditions of Robert Burns by telling his story in a modern and imaginative way.
The initiative is open to any primary school class in Scotland. To enter, schools should send their original poems to to scottishcompetition@aldi.co.uk by Friday 23rd January 2026. Schools can submit more than one poem per class.
Alan Leslie, Buying Director, at Aldi Scotland said: “As one of the most loyal supporters of Scottish food and drink, we believe we have a responsibility to ensure Scots of all ages can experience our most iconic culinary traditions. Burns Day is the perfect occasion for our youngest generation to enjoy some of the outstanding produce Scotland is famous for.
“Centuries after his lifetime, Robert Burns remains Scotland’s most celebrated poet, and what better way to honour his legacy than by encouraging young people to explore their own creativity?
“We’re really looking forward to reading the poems from primary classes across the country and are excited to bring our first-ever Great Scottish Supper to a deserving school.”
As Which?’s Cheapest Supermarket of 2024, Aldi continues to offer some of the best value deals on locally sourced Scottish food and drink.
For Burns Day, shoppers can pick up a selection of traditional and contemporary dishes, including:
Aldi’s diverse range of locally produced products are available at all of Aldi’s 112 Scottish stores. Available while stocks last.
Entries for the Great Scottish Supper open on 6 January, and will be accepted until Friday 23 January. The winning class will be contacted by January 30.
The winner will receive a £100 Aldi voucher to cater for their celebrations, with the supermarket also arranging a bagpiper for the event.
A highly anticipated new Tesco Express store opened its doors last week in East Craigs.
Located at 1 Bughtlin Market, the new Tesco Express Bughtlin Market will provide residents and visitors with a convenient, modern place to shop, supporting the continued growth of the surrounding area.
The store will be open seven days a week from 6am until 11pm, creating three new jobs for the local area while also retaining the existing team from the previous business that operated on the site.
Tesco Express Bughtlin Market will offer a wide range of products for everyday needs, whether customers are picking up breakfast on the go, buying lunch or collecting ingredients for dinner.
Store features include a Costa Coffee machine, National Lottery terminal, Payzone service, external InPost lockers and a 24-hour ATM.
Charlene Watson, Store Manager at Tesco Express Bughtlin Market, said: “We are pleased to open the doors to our new store and to join the East Craigs community.
“Our aim is to serve this large and diverse community with a friendly and dependable local store that people can rely on and we look forward to welcoming customers in the days and weeks ahead.”
Tesco Express Bughtlin Market is located at 1 Bughtlin Market, Edinburgh EH12 8XP.
SMALL CHANGE, BIG DIFFERENCE: SCOTMID PARTNERS WITH PENNIES FOR DEMENTIA SUPPORT
Scotmid has introduced a quick and easy way for customers to support people living with dementia, through a new partnership with the charity Pennies, trusted leader in micro-donations. The digital micro-donation option is now available in all Scotmid and Semichem stores across Edinburgh.
Customers paying by card, contactless or digital wallet can now choose to add a 10p donation to their purchase, with donations supporting Scotmid’s annual charity partner, Alzheimer Scotland. These small contributions will help fund vital services for people and families affected by dementia, supporting care, advice and community initiatives across Scotland.
The initiative builds on Scotmid’s long-standing commitment to supporting local causes and offers a simple, sustainable way for shoppers to give back in a cashless world.
This year’s partnership with Alzheimer Scotland, announced in October, will be the first to benefit. The charity also aims to reach younger audiences with information on brain health through school and community engagement.
Karen Scott, Scotmid Chief Executive, said: “We know how much our members, colleagues and customers care about supporting local people.
“This partnership with Pennies gives everyone the chance to help in a way that feels easy and affordable. It’s community compassion in action, 10p at a time.”
Alison Hutchinson CBE, CEO of Pennies said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Scotmid to the Pennies family.
“As Scotland’s largest independent co-operative, Scotmid has deep roots in its communities – and this partnership will enable thousands of people to make a meaningful contribution every day.
“Together, we’re harnessing the power of digital giving to reach more people, in more places, for more causes. Just £10 in micro-donations could provide a whole class of 25 children with a brain-health handbook on how to look after their amazing brains. Thank you!”
Scotmid’s collaboration with Pennies reflects its ongoing commitment to finding innovative ways for customers and members to support the communities they live in. Pennies’ micro-donation solution will continue to be used across future charity partnerships, helping causes benefit from collective generosity.
