Shoppers spent billions at discount supermarkets over the Christmas period, as the cost-of-living crisis pushed customers towards cheaper festive options.
Aldi said its sales topped £1.5 billion for the first time in the four weeks to Christmas Eve, rising by 8% on last year. On its busiest day, 22 December, it served 2.5 million customers.
Aldi UK and Ireland boss GIles Hurley said: “We’re really grateful that so many customers chose Aldi for their main Christmas shop this year.
“As the UK’s cheapest supermarket, we were able to help customers enjoy the Christmas they deserve and provide them with high quality products at the most affordable prices. I’m immensely proud of our amazing colleagues who, once again, went above and beyond to deliver a wonderful Christmas for our customers.
“As we look ahead to 2024, our promise to customers is that they will always make significant savings on every shop with Aldi because we have the lowest grocery prices in Britain.”
Meanwhile, Lidl’s sales were up by 12%, with 4.5 million shoppers passing through its doors during the pre-Christmas period.
Ryan McDonnell, Lidl GB CEO, said: “I’m incredibly proud of our performance this Christmas in what was the busiest trading period in our history. As the fastest-growing supermarket in the country, we welcomed more customers through our doors than ever before and ensured that we delivered the quality and price promise they have come to expect from us.
“It’s testament to the incredible contribution of our colleagues and suppliers who worked so hard to provide a fantastic Christmas for the communities we serve.”
At Lidl, Christmas dinner staples flew off the shelves, as the chain said it sold a turkey every two seconds, and more than 2,000 tonnes of potatoes.
But at Aldi, alternatives to the festive bird proved popular, with its wagyu rib joint seeing a big boost in sales.
