Aldi brings in new UK managing director
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Aldi, the discount supermarket chain, has promoted head of buying at its Australian operations, Matthew Barnes, to the role of UK managing director.
He steps into the role vacated by Paul Foley, who departed suddenly in August after 20 years with the company.
The role had been filled in the interim by chief executive of Aldi Austria, Armin Burger.
Prior to joining Aldi’s Australian business, Barnes was a regional director in the UK. He oversaw the opening of its first city centre store in Manchester.
He steps into his new role as the discount retailer faces a slowdown in sales growth. Nielsen figures reveal its growth slowed to 3.3% in the four weeks to 5 September on a year-on-year basis.
Recent TNS grocery market share analysis also revealed that shoppers are taking a “more measured approach” to cutting back during the recession.
Sainsbury’s and Morrisons eclipsed previous rising stars Lidl and Aldi, with a 8.9% and 9.3% rise in market share respectively in the 12 weeks to 15 June compared to the same period last year.
By comparison, Aldi’s share rose 8.7%, while Lidl grew 7.5%.
Readers' comments (1)
Anonymous | Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:01 am
Aldi's edge has gone as a discount store where one could genuinely save money . Now it is just a "me too" store, with million pound advertising on TV . What is that all about ? If Aldi can afford that then something has to go up in price and the consumer loses out.Where is your edge Aldi ? People used to flock to Aldi in order to save a lot of money every week, me included. I gave up on Aldi a year or so ago. . Now, sadly, no savings worth speaking about and I can buy better quality stuff elsewhere at the same price .
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