Today in retail: Aldi topples the Co-op to hit high five

There was a short comment issued by its boss Matthew Barnes off the back of today’s Kantar Worldpanel figures, but that was that.

No self-indulgent press release. No interview opportunities. No trumpet blowing.

As the Co-op’s food boss Steve Murrells told Retail Week back in July 2015, there was an “inevitability” that it would happen eventually.

Even so, Aldi would have been forgiven for taking the opportunity to sing its own praises.

Against a turbulent retail backdrop that has claimed a number of victims in recent years, the discounter has not only survived, but thrived.

Regularly registering surging sales, profits and market share in perhaps the most competitive grocery market in the world is no mean feat – just ask any of its big four rivals.

Perhaps Aldi will break from tradition and pop a few corks if it can achieve the almost unthinkable and break into that elite quartet.

Just when the finishing touches were being put to this email, the Co-op revealed that Richard Pennycook is stepping down from his role as the mutual’s group chief executive, with Murrells to take the helm. 

Quote of the day

“In these economically uncertain times, customers want certainty that the prices they pay for their groceries are the lowest in Britain and that they don’t need to compromise on product quality. We guarantee that’s always the case at Aldi and it’s driving our continued expansion.” 

– Aldi boss Matthew Barnes on Aldi’s ongoing growth

Today in numbers

8.6%

The growth in online sales during the three months to January 28, according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.

-2.2%

The contrasting plunge in in-store sales recorded by the BRC-KPMG data across the same period, as the shift to ecommerce continues. 

Tomorrow’s agenda

One major update to look out for in the morning as homewares business Dunelm updates the market with its half-year results.

Luke Tugby, deputy news editor