ALDI SÜD: Discount, structure, and transformation in food retail

ALDI SÜD is one of the leading companies in international food retail. For decades, the retail group has stood for the discount principle, which focuses on efficiency, clear product range structures, and consistent price orientation. At the same time, ALDI SÜD has evolved significantly in recent years and is increasingly combining its classic business model with topics such as sustainability, digitalization, and real estate development.

Historical roots and development of the discount principle

The origins of ALDI SÜD date back to 1913, when Karl and Anna Albrecht opened a small grocery store in Essen. After World War II, their sons Karl and Theo Albrecht took over the company and developed a new retail concept that would change the German retail industry forever. At the heart of this model was a deliberately limited product range, a focus on private labels, and strict cost control along the entire value chain. In 1961, the company was split into ALDI Nord and ALDI SÜD. Since then, both companies have operated independently of each other, but follow similar basic principles. ALDI SÜD expanded increasingly internationally from the 1970s onwards and is now represented in several European countries, the USA, and Australia. Despite this expansion, the basic structure of the business model has remained remarkably consistent.

ALDI SÜD in the trade fair and real estate context

Beyond its traditional store business, ALDI SÜD is also increasingly appearing at trade fairs and industry events. Real estate and location issues play a particularly important role in this context. Events such as real estate fairs and municipal forums are less about selling products and more about location development, land use, and long-term partnerships with cities and municipalities. This presence makes it clear that ALDI SÜD is perceived not only as a retailer but also as a major player in the commercial real estate sector. New store construction, modernization, and redensification projects are integral parts of the company's strategy and are increasingly being communicated transparently.

Articles about ALDI Süd on Messe.TV

ALDI SÜD: Real estate projects cities and municipalities

ALDI SÜD is one of the leading discounters in Germany and offers a wide range of food and non-food products at low prices. The company focuses on high... ALDI SÜD: Real estate projects cities and municipalities

Product range, private labels, and operational efficiency

ALDI SÜD's product range is deliberately kept manageable and thus differs fundamentally from classic full-range retailers. The majority of products come from private labels, which are offered in various categories – from food to drugstore items to household goods. The standard range is supplemented by regularly changing promotional items that are available for a limited time. Key features of this product range approach include:

• strong focus on own brands
• clear price and quality positioning
• Standardized store and logistics processes
• Regular promotional offers outside the core range

Sustainability, responsibility, and future orientation

In recent years, ALDI SOUTH has increasingly implemented measures that integrate environmental and social aspects into everyday business. These include energy-efficient store concepts, the use of renewable energies, and programs to reduce food waste. The expansion of organic and Fairtrade products and the gradual switch to more sustainable packaging solutions are also part of this development. From a journalistic perspective, it is not so much the individual measures that are decisive as their long-term classification: How can efficiency, low prices, and sustainability be reconciled? ALDI SÜD positions itself here as a company that is gradually implementing structural changes while attempting to combine economic stability with social responsibility.