Aldi is looking to hire 251 colleagues in Edinburgh & Lothians this year as the company looks to open new stores and update others.
Britain’s fourth largest supermarket is on the lookout for people of all levels of experience to fill roles across the region, with salaries of up to £43,440.
The roles include full and part-time positions such as Store Assistant and Deputy Store Manager, all the way up to Assistant Store Manager.
The recruitment push is part of a nationwide expansion drive, with Aldi pledging to create a total of more than 5,500 new jobs up and down the country in 2024.
Store and Warehouse Assistants at Aldi receive a starting salary of £12.00 rising to £12.95 nationally, while those working within the M25 receive £13.55 rising to £13.85.
Aldi is also the only supermarket to offer paid breaks, which for the average store colleague is worth more than an additional £900 a year.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK, said: “Our colleagues work incredibly hard, and they are without a doubt a huge part of our success at Aldi. We continue to welcome more and more customers to Aldi stores every week, not just because of our unbeatable prices and local sourcing, but also our amazing colleagues.
“We are looking forward to welcoming even more colleagues up and down the country to Team Aldi during 2024 and this is another step in accelerating progress towards our goal of making affordable, quality food accessible to everyone.”
Aldi recently committed to opening 500 more stores across Britain and is investing more than £1.4 billion throughout 2023 and 2024 as it progresses towards hitting this long-term target. This investment includes work to expand its distribution and store network as well as further improving existing stores and technology infrastructure to support growth.
Those interested in applying for a career with Aldi can visit:
Aldi donates surplus food from all its stores to local charities and foodbanks when stores close early on Christmas Eve. Aldi’s staff L-R Emily Sutton, Carla Louise Gospel and Tamara Mawson-Phipps 24/12/2022
Aldi donated 25,691 meals to those in need in Edinburgh and The Lothians over the festive period.
The supermarket paired up its stores with local charities, community groups and food banks in the area to collect unsold fresh and chilled food when stores closed their doors early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Charities that benefitted from the donations in Edinburgh and The Lothians include The Pennypit Trust, Tummies Not Trash and Winchburgh Food Store.
The food donations are part of Aldi’s successful partnership with Neighbourly, a community giving platform that links businesses to charitable organisations.
Aldi’s UK stores donate surplus food to good causes each and every day, with over 40 million meals donated to good causes since its partnership with Neighbourly began back in 2019.
Britain’s fourth-largest supermarket also worked in partnership with Company Shop Group this Christmas to provide around 2,000 meals at its Community Kitchens across the UK in the run up to Christmas.
Liz Fox, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said:“We are so proud to work with such amazing charity partners throughout the UK and the impact they have cannot be underestimated, especially during the winter months when their services are needed more than ever.
“We are pleased that through our partnership with both Neighbourly and Company Shop we have been able to give back to the communities we serve by providing more donations than ever this Christmas.”
Steve Butterworth, Chief Executive Officer at Neighbourly, added:“We’re pleased to have supported Aldi once again during what is often one of the busiest periods for our charities.
“Large donations like Aldi’s allow us to provide vital support to communities across the country who would otherwise miss out.”
New stores set to open in Broughty Ferry, Straiton and Castle Douglas in 2024, with Aldi’s investment leading to 500 new jobs
Aldi has confirmed it will continue its expansion in Scotland, with plans to invest more than £56m over the next two years, opening three new stores in Broughty Ferry, Straiton and Castle Douglas next year.
The move supports the discount retailer’s growth ambitions and will allow it to meet consumer demands for outstanding quality and the lowest value in Scotland.
In 2023, Aldi became Scotland’s third-biggest supermarket by volume, moving it ahead of Morrisons and Sainsbury’s for the first time. According to recently published Kantar data, Aldi’s share of the grocery market had increased from 9.7% in November 2022 to 10.6% in November 2023[1].
Aldi has soared in popularity in recent years and welcomed more customers than ever before through its doors, with an additional 5 million customers this year.
In addition to the new stores in 2024, the supermarket has also committed to extend five of its existing stores, including Erskine, Port Glasgow and Alexandria over the next two years.
Having been crowned Employer of the Year at the Scotland Food and Drinks Excellence Awards 2023, the investment will see Aldi increase its employees in Scotland by over 10% in 2024.
Aldi also recently committed to a New Year pay rise, making it the first supermarket in the UK to offer rates in line with the Real Living Wage. It will also guarantee store and warehouse colleagues pay of at least £12 an hour.
Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Aldi Scotland, said: “2023 was another excellent year for Aldi Scotland, and I am extremely proud that our presence within the Scottish market has continued to be recognised and celebrated.
“We remain committed to the strong relationships we have built with our Scottish suppliers, allowing our customers the opportunity to purchase locally sourced, high-quality Scottish products at affordable prices.
“As we look to the new year, we remain committed to reaching more customers than ever before, with the opening of more stores and increased investment in Scotland. Next year will be extra special for us as we mark 30 years since we opened our first store in Scotland on Glencairn Street in Kilmarnock.
“Whether it’s enhancing our product offerings, maintaining the lowest prices, supporting our dedicated teams, or contributing to the communities we serve – every investment is a testament to our unwavering commitment to Scotland.”
Aldi was commended for its selection of quality, locally sourced Scottish produce in 2023. Its Toradh Scottish Seville Orange Gin was awarded Gold by The Spirits Business’ Gin Masters blind tasting, while its Specially Selected All Butter Shortbread Rounds won Gold in the Christmas Category at the Quality Food Awards.
Known for its longstanding commitment to supporting community initiatives, Aldi’s Scottish Sports Fund, which has donated nearly £400,000 to amateur sports clubs to date, will continue in 2024. The retailer’s popular Supermarket Sweep initiative will also return for its ninth year. More than £10,000 was donated to Scottish foodbanks through the initiative in 2023.
In November, Aldi announced a new partnership with Age Scotland, encouraging shoppers to submit festive greetings to help combat loneliness amongst the elderly this winter.
Aldi has extended its reservation window to pick up surplus food bags via Too Good To Go. The move will mean customers in Edinburgh and the Lothians can secure a bag up to 24 hours ahead of the collection time via the app.
The ‘Surprise Bags’ contain a range of grocery products that are approaching their sell-by or use-by dates at a reduced price, costing just £3.30 each to purchase for at least £10 worth of food.
Customers can search for a nearby Aldi store in the Too Good To Go app, before selecting a bag to pick up in-store within a specific time frame, with reservation windows now available from 10pm the day before.
Since partnering with the world’s largest surplus food platform last year, Aldi has sold more than 300,000 Surprise Bags and has been rated the favourite provider of Too Good To Go bags by over one million customers.
Liz Fox, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said:“By extending the time our customers can reserve a surplus food bag via Too Good To Go, we are hoping even more people can benefit from the initiative.
“Not only has this partnership helped in our goal to cut down on food waste, but Too Good To Go also offers a simple and accessible way for customers to save even more money when shopping at Aldi. It has been amazing to see how many have benefited already since our partnership began.”
In addition to its Too Good To Go partnership, Aldi’s UK stores donate surplus food to local causes all year round.
Since 2019, the supermarket has donated more than 40 million meals via its successful partnership with Neighbourly.
Retailer’s Scottish Sports Fund initiative has supported more than 60 clubs this year
Aldi Scotland has revealed that it has donated £50,000 to amateur sports clubs this year, supporting more than 60 local clubs across six Scottish regions.
The retailer’s ‘Scottish Sports Fund’ encourages people of all ages and abilities to participate in physical activity within their local communities. It also provides a funding pot for sports clubs to apply for financial support ranging from £500 to £2,500 to help with purchasing new equipment or team kits.
Since launching in 2016, almost 600 clubs in Scotland have benefitted from a funding worth more than £390,000, as part of Aldi Scotland’s goal to improve community access to sports across the country.
This year, funds have been donated to sports teams across the country, including Edinburgh, Dundee, Tayside, Perth, Kinross, Fife, Glasgow, the North East, the Highlands and Islands, and Central Scotland.
One benefactor was the 2011 Girls Team at Musselburgh Windsor Girls Football Club, who received the top award of £2,500. One of the oldest and largest youth football clubs in Scotland, the community club helps girls looking to develop their skills in football.
Buchan Park Bowling Club also received £1,000 through Aldi’s Scottish Sports Fund. Based in West Lothian, the club promotes and trains members of the public in bowling.
Laura Bosworth, Musselburgh Windsor Girls Football Club, said:“We are so pleased to have been awarded the highest funding of £2,500 from Aldi’s Scottish Sports Fund.
“This funding has made a real difference to the work we do in our local community to continue helping girls develop their skills in football.”
Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Since 2016, Aldi’s Scottish Sports Fund has given a wide range of sports clubs the chance to benefit from essential funding to help them invest in much-needed equipment and resources.
“We remain committed to supporting sports clubs across Scotland to help continue the fantastic work they do in their local communities. Every year, we are blown away by the volume of applications we receive, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming even more in 2024.”
Applications for next year’s Scottish Sports Fund are expected to open in Spring next year.
The Aldi Scottish Sport Fund is open to any sporting organisation in Scotland that meets the application criteria. All applications will be considered by the Aldi judging panel and entrants will be notified of the outcome of their funding application within four to six weeks from the region’s deadline.
Aldi store colleagues in Edinburgh & The Lothians are to get a pay rise, which will see Aldi become the first supermarket in the UK to guarantee store and warehouse colleagues pay of at least £12 an hour.
This move makes Aldi the first supermarket to offer rates in line with the Real Living Wage that was set by the Living Wage Foundation in October this year.
Store Assistants’ pay will rise further to £12.95 nationally, and £13.85 within the M25, based on the length of service as part of Aldi’s £67m investment into colleague pay.
Aldi is also the only supermarket to offer paid breaks, which for the average store colleague is worth an additional £900 annually.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Just as we promise to provide the best value to our customers, we are also committed to being the highest-paying supermarket within the sector – which is why we are investing more than ever into this pay rise.
“We are incredibly proud of every single member of Team Aldi and this is a way of thanking them for all their hard work over the past year. We believe our colleagues are the best in the sector and they play a huge part in making Aldi what it is today.”
The news comes in just as Aldi has been named the UK’s Cheapest Supermarket, according to consumer champion Which? (November 2023). Aldi was also named the UK’s Cheapest Supermarket in both 2021 and 2022.
Aldi’s commitment to being the cheapest supermarket shows no sign of slowing, having made over £360m of price reductions across 800 items so far this year.
Aldi is the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket and has more than 1,000 stores, 11 regional distribution centres and 40,000 colleagues across Britain.
The CMA has set out the latest findings and the next steps in its ongoing review of the groceries sector today
Some branded suppliers have pushed up prices by more than their costs increased, but in most cases, shoppers can find cheaper alternatives.
CMA to examine further whether ineffective competition in the baby formula market could be leading to parents paying higher prices.
CMA to launch review of loyalty scheme pricing by supermarkets, considering its impact on consumers and competition in the groceries sector.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has set out the latest findings and the next steps in its ongoing review of the groceries sector today.
It follows an initial assessment that focused on retail competition in the groceries sector published in July.
That assessment identified 10 product categories (including milk, baked beans and baby formula) for further analysis in a second phase of work, to gain a deeper understanding of competition across the supply chain, with a particular focus on branded and own label food suppliers.
Competition and price dynamics in the supply chain
Food price inflation continues to be at historically high levels, despite falling to 10.1% in October 2023.
Across the food and groceries sector, the CMA found that high inflation has been driven largely by rising input costs, particularly for energy and key agricultural inputs like fertiliser.
But the evidence collected by the CMA indicates that, over the last 2 years, around three-quarters of branded suppliers in products such as infant formula, baked beans, mayonnaise, and pet food have increased their unit profitability and, in doing so, have contributed to higher food price inflation.
However, own label products often provide cheaper alternatives with suppliers of these products earning lower profit margins and competing to win and retain contracts from retailers.
In all but one of the relevant product categories the CMA looked at, as food prices have risen, many consumers have switched away from brands towards own label alternatives, or reduced their consumption, leading to a decline in brands’ market shares and profits. This switching is positive for competition and allows those able to switch, to lessen the impact of high food price inflation.
Overall profit margins have fallen across most branded manufacturers since 2021, mainly because of a fall in sale volumes due to consumers switching to cheaper alternatives.
The CMA has also heard from leading brands that they are aiming to use any future reductions in their input costs to offer customers more promotions, rather than cut the standard price they charge supermarkets for their products.
Baby formula
Baby formula is a product category where different dynamics seem to apply. The prices for baby formula in the UK have risen by 25% over the past 2 years.
Similar to other products the CMA examined, evidence suggests that branded suppliers of baby formula have also increased their prices by more than their input costs. On top of this, the market is highly concentrated (2 firms have around 85% of the market share) and brands have maintained high profit margins over the last 2 years.
Unlike other products examined, there is little evidence of parents switching to cheaper branded options as prices have risen and very limited availability of own-brand alternatives.
Families could make significant savings of more than £500 over the first year of a baby’s life, through buying cheaper baby formula options. Regulation ensures that all baby formula products, including cheaper options, provide all the nutrients a healthy baby needs.
Despite this, the CMA is concerned that parents may not always have the right information, at the right time, to make effective choices. It is also concerned that suppliers may not have the right incentives to offer infant formula at competitive prices.
The CMA will now undertake further work to better understand consumer behaviour (including what influences choice) and barriers to entry and expansion for baby formula manufacturers and consider whether any changes to the regulatory framework could help the market work better.
An update on the CMA’s work into baby formula will be published in mid-2024.
Loyalty pricing
With the rise in some supermarkets making cheaper prices only available for loyalty card members, the CMA plans to begin a review of the use of loyalty scheme pricing by supermarkets in early 2024. The CMA’s work will consider how the growth in loyalty scheme pricing is affecting consumers and competition in the groceries sector.
Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: “Food price inflation has put huge strain on household budgets, so it is vital competition issues aren’t adding to the problem. While in most cases the leading brands have raised prices more than their own cost increases, own label products are generally providing cheaper alternatives.
“The picture is different when it comes to baby formula, with little evidence that people are switching to cheaper products and limited own label alternatives. We’re concerned that parents may not always have the right information to make informed choices and that suppliers may not have strong incentives to offer infant formula at competitive prices. We will investigate this further and consider whether changes to regulations are necessary to ensure parents can get the best deal possible.
“We have also seen an increase in the use of loyalty scheme pricing by supermarkets, which means that price promotions are only available to people who sign up for loyalty cards.
“This raises a number of questions about the impact of loyalty scheme pricing on consumers and competition and the CMA will launch a review in January 2024.”
More information and the full report can be found on the CMA Groceries case page
– Prices will be locked at new price until 31st December –
– Morrisons is investing over £4 million in these new price reductions –
Morrisons is cutting the price of 58 popular festive items and is committing to keeping the prices low until the end of the year. The cuts are being made well in advance of December 25th so that customers can stock up and spread the cost of their Christmas grocery shopping.
Key festive items such as stuffing, roast potatoes, cranberry sauce and tin foil have been cut in Morrisons latest wave of price activity – its tenth of the year.
Morrisons is investing over £4 million to cut the price of the products by an average of almost 20 per cent from current prices. The items have all been chosen because they were particularly popular at Christmas last year – with an average uplift in sales of over 90 per cent throughout the festive period.
The total price of all 58 items in Morrisons festive basket is nearly two pounds cheaper than the same basket of items would have cost in Christmas 2022, despite the significant inflation over the last year.
The cuts cover Christmas dinner must-haves and trimmings as well as drinks and nibbles including Bucks Fizz, tonic and peanuts. Festive hosts can also stock up on kitchen essentials such as kitchen foil and napkins while key ingredients needed to create seasonal bakes have also been cut such as mincemeat, sultanas and pastry – as well as cream.
These lower festive prices introduced in Morrisons supermarkets and online this week are on top of further 62 price cuts made last week on items such as chicken wings & drumsticks, frozen chips, bread and smoked fish. Those prices will be held for at least eight weeks and form part of the commitment Morrisons has upheld since January to always have over 1,000 prices lowered and locked each week.
Rachel Eyre, Morrisons Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, said: “We know that Christmas is an expensive time of year and that our customers are having to make tough choices about what to put in their baskets.
“We are working hard to help them when it comes to their festive grocery shopping and want to protect them from rising costs so despite the significant inflation we have seen over the last twelve months, our basket of 58 festive items is cheaper than it was in 2022.”
KEY DEALS ON CHRISTMAS FAVOURITES
WAS
NOW
Morrisons Cocktail Prawns 300g
£4.30
£3.59
Morrisons Raspberry Sherry Trifle 900g
£4.00
£2.99
Winter Warmer Mulled Wine 75cl
£3.00
£2.50
Morrisons Cranberry Sauce 200g
£1.09
£0.59
Morrisons Mincemeat 822g
£2.79
£2.15
Morrisons Dry Roasted Peanuts 450g
£2.50
£1.59
Morrisons Yorkshire Wensleydale with Cranberries 200g
– Morrisons has the largest supermarket Christmas pet range this year –
– The dog and cat range will include almost 30 products, from advent calendars to Christmas dinners and festive jumpers –
– 10% of sales of the Morrisons Rudi Reindeer Iced Dog Cookies go to charity partner Together for Short Lives –
– The range is available in-store and online now nationwide –
With more than half (57%) of British households owning a furry friend, animal companions are an integral part of Christmas festivities for much of the nation. Morrisons is making sure Christmas 2023 is the ulti-mutt celebration for pets as it unveils its biggest festive pet range to date.
Comprising nearly 30 products, pet owners will be able to pick up advent calendars, Christmas dinners, jumpers and more so furry friends don’t miss out on the festive fun. With prices starting from just £1.49, there’s a pocket-friendly treat for every pet owner to pick up.
For those looking to share the Christmas countdown with their pets, shoppers can grab the Morrisons Pawsome Meaty Christmas Dog Treat Advent Calendar and Morrisons Purrfect Meaty Christmas Cat Treat Advent Calendar, both £3.99, filled with tasty treats for pets to enjoy each day.
Customers can also kit their pets out in the finest festive wear with the Gifts for Pets Dog Festive Jumper (£4.99) and Gifts For Pets Reindeer Headband for Dogs & Cats (£2.99).
For a delicious Christmas Eve treat, pups can chow down on Morrisons Rudi Reindeer Iced Dog Cookies (£3.99), adorably shaped like festive reindeer. 10% of sales from the Rudi range go to charity partner Together for Short Lives, giving shoppers even more reason to pick up the tasty treats.
Pets don’t need to miss out on the big day itself either, as the range boasts all of the ingredients needed for a paw-sitively delicious pooch Christmas dinner. Customers can choose from Morrisons Turkey and Bacon Hot Dogs for Dogs (£1.99), Morrisons Sausages in either Christmas Dinner or Pork & Apple Stuffing Flavour for Dogs (£1.99), Morrison Pigs in Blankets for Dogs (£2.99), and of course Morrisons Mince Pies for Dogs (£2.99) to top it all off.
The range also includes plenty of treats purr-fect for stocking fillers, such as the Morrisons Merry Poochmas Rawhide alternative Chew sticks (£1.99), available in the shape of Christmas trees, or Gingerbread people. Cats can tuck into the Morrisons Tasty Tuna Meowy Christmas Cat Sticks or Morrisons Delicious Duck Christmas Quackers Cat Treats, just £1.49 each, and there are pet safe crackers for both cats and dogs (£2.49).
Andy Whiteman, Product Developer at Morrisons, said:“Santa Paws is truly coming to Morrisons this year as we introduce our biggest and best Christmas pet range.
“We know pets are an important part of so many families, so now shoppers can pick up everything they need to share the celebrations with their cuddly companions, without breaking the bank.”
For more information on the wider Morrisons Christmas range, visit:
A Firrhill High School pupil has been crowned the winner in Aldi’s nationwide lorry design competition, as part of its ongoing partnerships with Team GB and ParalympicsGB.
The supermarket asked young people across the country to hand draw a design for its next lorry, with Firrhill High School pupil Victoria, age 13, winning the competition.
The designs had to inspire others to enjoy healthy and sustainable food, with Victoria’s winning design focusing on how incorporating fresh fruit and vegetables can help everyone build a healthy future.
The judges, including Scottish Paralympian Melanie Woods, were impressed by Victoria’s creation, which will now be seen on an Aldi lorry as it delivers the supermarket’s products to stores across the country.
The supermarket has also rewarded the young artist with Aldi vouchers and an exclusive Team GB and ParalympicsGB goodybag. Victoria’s school will also receive £1,000 to spend at Aldi.
Jemma Townsend, Marketing Director at Aldi, said:“The Design a Lorry competition is part of our collaborative efforts with Team GB and ParalympicsGB to promote healthy eating among young people.
“We had more than 12,000 entries from talented young artists, but it was Victoria’s design that really stood out to our judges due to its eye-catching illustrations and use of bold colours.”
Tim Ellerton, Commercial Director at Team GB, said: “There were so many strong entries this year, it made it difficult to pick just two winners.
“However, Victoria’s design captured the topic of healthy and sustainable food perfectly.”
Jenny Seymour, Commercial Director at ParalympicsGB, said: “Victoria’s winning design showcases brilliantly the importance of fresh and healthy food.
“Our athletes enjoyed surprising her at school last week when her winning design appeared on the road for the first time and hosting an assembly for the pupils.”
Alongside the Design a Lorry competition, Aldi, Team GB and ParalympicsGB’s Get Set to Eat Fresh programme offers a series of teaching resources to educate children about nutrition and build their love and curiosity about healthy, sustainable food.
