German discounter Aldi has reported that its total December sales in the UK increased 15% compared to 2015.
Sales from its 'Specially Selected' premium range were especially profitable, skyrocketing by 27%.
Retail intelligence firm Verdict Retail said that the chain's Super 6 promotion on holiday fruit and vegetables was another reason for the leap in sales. Mince pies and an aged roasting joint were among the most popular products.
Although its like-for-like sales were not revealed, Aldi has stated that they were 'strongly positive', the firm said.
Analyst Matt Walton commented: "The future prospects for Aldi remain optimistic. Its heavy focus on price will continue to resonate with more constrained shoppers. The grocer has high hopes for its Specially Selected brand, with internal forecasts of £750m of sales from this range in 2017, as customers from other grocers trade down as well as encouraging existing shoppers to trade up."
He said that planned refurbishments of over 100 stores will create a better first impression for new customers. Aldi's proposals to launch 70 more stores this year, with a 'food-to-go' focus, will also support growth.
Walton added that early signs point to discounters being the Christmas heavy hitters, with concerned shoppers bracing themselves for uncertain economic times ahead.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Karen Henderson. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
