There may be no surer confirmation of the UK’s cost of living drama than the supermarket price war that saw a new wave of skirmishes this week. Aldi, the cheapest place in the country for grocery shopping in recent years, was announced Monday by Which? It slipped to fourth place behind Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Lidl.
But price doesn’t tell the whole story, and for many people Aldi is still number one. The German discount store has been named the country’s ‘Supermarket of the Year’ at the 2022 Retail Industry Awards. It was the self-proclaimed ‘Oscar of the retail industry’, beating out the likes of M&S and Waitrose. It was also the best Christmas ever.
Aldi wins check out. For years it has taken market share from traditional grocers in the UK.Since January 2015, it has grown its market share from 4.9% to 9.3%, with more affordable wines and reduced-price hummus. Attracting shoppers. Last year, Aldi overtook her Morrisons to become her fourth-largest grocer in the UK, cementing him as one of the country’s go-to supermarkets, not as a disruptive maverick. rice field. Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insights at Kantar, the market analyst who created the data, said, “Shoppers are taking steps to manage their budgets and are expanding the range of stores they visit. ” points out.
Aldi’s feisty German cousin Lidl also benefits. Sales surged 20.9% and market share increased to his 7.1% as the fall began when the cost of living crisis began to take hold.
“In the early 2010s, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons together accounted for more than three-quarters of the sector, but the traditional Big 4 no longer exist,” added McKevitt. rice field.
“Discounters have seen a dramatic increase in sales in recent months and are bringing more and more customers to their stores. consumers visited the grocery store and successfully expanded our shopper base.”
But what is clear is that Aldi’s win, and Lidl’s growing popularity, is about more than just the price. The retailer also seems to have found its place on the chef’s shopping list.Mark Hix, the newly appointed Groucho club’s top cook brass, knows both so well he has a favorite (which happens to be Lidl) . For some, the attraction is strictly seasonal. Bocca di Lupo’s Jacob Kennedy said, “Where to eat Riddle Stollen is a Christmas tradition from God,” and Adam Handling said in December that “a soft gingerbread biscuit called a lebkuchen mix.” When I was a kid, I loved Germany and ate a lot.”. But others below treat the retailer almost like a specialty store, stopping in for certain things but I’m leaving other people for other places.
And while Lidl not Aldi is unlikely to be a haven for the finest ingredients, or offer the most sustainable practices when it comes to meat and fish, these are ungodly times. 99p cream? Many people are too aware of Aldi’s well-regarded duplicate products. The Percy Pigs riff Leo the Lion is arguably the funniest one. And they’re not the only ones. Supermarkets are open and the Germans show no signs of backing down. Here’s what chefs, restaurateurs, and standard food lovers have picked up in store.
what the chef buys
Gigi Erskine
I love the whole Aldi concept. Feels like a supermarket for the thrifty. There’s something completely unethical about that offering, but I want some of it. Their wine selection is really ridiculous.i would kill for Barolo Wine, but very expensive. not Aldi. It’s great for £10!
And in times of austerity, when my neighbors asked if I could get a discount on Lurpak butterAldi makes sense (Spreadable Nordpak, 500g, £2.29).
Bentley Richard Corrigan
It’s not Easter yet, but I love Aldi’s chocolate Selection. I know because I use European chocolate.I like Yogurt Too (Brooklea Green style, 1kg, £1.45) and veggies. Odd bottle of wine too. I buy a lot of Aldi’s.
Alex Price, Burr Crispin
Lidl always makes me feel like I’m on vacation in a European supermarket. Croissant Especially tasty (35p each) and generally good fruit and vegetables. As a sommelier, I’d rather go to Lidl than Sainsbury’s or Tesco.they always have affordable prices Champagne At Christmas (bottles from £13.99), the wines change seasonally, but there’s always something more interesting than you might expect. Once he found this ultra-cheap Artesse from Savoie for about five glasses.
Russell Norman, Brut
I used to be a terrible snob about Aldi and Lidl (I always found Waitrose habit forming) but my daughters turned me into Aldi.their cheese selection Ignore the questionable flavor cheddar and it’s pretty good. I’ve bought Comté, Gruyère, Gouda, Manchego, Ricotta and Brie de Meaux and they’re all great.they even have Camembert (250g, £2.49) Especially for baking.
Max Halley, Max’s Sandwich Shop
I get Aldi’s whenever it’s in stock Argentinian red shrimp (Special Whole Red Shrimp, 300g, price depends on availability) – Amazing! I get coffee pod For my Nespresso machine they are great and very cheap (Ristretto coffee pods, 10, £1.65). Olive oil Also at Aldi (from £3.59 per liter).
Tom Griffiths, Frank
There weren’t many options in my town, so my Nan introduced me to supermarkets 20-odd years ago.I think there is a misconception that all Aldi products are produced overseas. However, Aldi buys many of its products from the UK. I buy butter there. Seasonal vegetables always seem decent. Barolo (Specially selected Denominazione Di Origine Controllata E Garantita 2017, price depends on availability).
Henry Omereye, Riding House Cafe
i am a big fan. I am always drawn to ingredients that allow me to make a quick dinner for my wife and kids. meatball (Nature’s Glen Scotch Meatballs, 340g, £2.19), or Chicken thigh (Specially selected free-range corn-fed chicken thighs, 375g, £2.99). I always add vegetables like eggplant, spinach and carrots. apple strudel (Dessert Menu Apple Strudel 600g £1.19) with custard or vanilla ice cream.
James Cochrane, Founder, Restaurant 12:51
I love shopping at Aldi, great for many regular items, especially fruits and vegetables, but also random overseas items that are bargains and help boost your creativity. At this time, the weather is cold and I love a good vegetable root vegetable stew.This is just tossed in a pan with stock and wiped down with bread. Chorizo (Selected Mild Spanish Chorizo Rings, 200g, £1.89).
Recommended by the ES team
Jimi Famleva, Chief Restaurant Critic
What many people find in Aldi tends to be the unexpected sophistication.Incredible wines and underrated cheeses lurking on the shelves like obscure Oscar-winning fare, hidden in a sea of Razzie winners. doing Chorizo (24 slices for 89 pence), I also like that it’s one of the few places where you can find a Scottish brewery.y Harvestons A really nice craft lager (500ml, £1.79). But my true he Aldi cult favorite is absolute garbage. Specifically a multipack box. mini delight – Essentially a substitute Kinder chocolate bar – ‘cookies and milk’ flavor (200g, £1.69). A very childish imitation candy that you can’t physically stop eating.
David Ellis, Reveler Editor
There’s an Aldi Local at the end of the street, so I stop by often. For those uninformed, the Aldi Local is pretty much like its higher sibling. A crazy basket of random purchases doesn’t divide the aisles, so you can get your usual groceries, but rarely walk away with a set of tires, for example. Iron or a new welding mask. Instead, I especially like the sugar rush that follows a moist, rich, fruity slice. Irish whiskey cake (490g, £1.99) and a packet of 6 crumpets (35p). They are as good as any other and by far the cheapest I have found anywhere.The same principle applies to their superior oat cake (250g, 65p).Otherwise they do rough tubs Ardennes pate Served on toast, it’s perfect for a quick work-from-home lunch or an after-pub snack.I’m probably less into wine than most people, but they’re decent Speyside and Highland 12 year old single malt scotch At £16.99 a bottle, it’s about $10 cheaper than expected.
Given that my Aldi is staffed only by failed drill sergeants, it’s not the place for a therapeutic shopping experience. All in perfect condition and very reasonably priced. There is a word serviceable. Without setting the world on fire, Aldi is solid. Literally for my place what they never stock is a match, inexplicably.
Joe Taylor, Food & Beverage Editor, ES Magazine
Ah Aldi, you are a trusty companion. You’re always there with open arms when I’m feeling particularly productive, or when bankruptcy is on the cue. Throw a soiree? You can get a bottle of English ‘Bowler and Broly’ Bubbles for £20 and make 14 Aperol. Aperini – Spritz under 8 lbs and decorate toothpicks with cubes Cornish 18 Months Extra Mature Cheddar at £2.99.
Open the kitchen cupboard and you’ll find two things. One is a jar of honey (not Aldi’s, don’t ask), enough ingredients to make about 35 hearty slices of puttanesca bread.Uses responsibly sourced canned food anchovies It sells for £7.99 or 53 pence, and capers for £2.99 or 99 pence. Both of the latter prices, of course, are for his Aldi. Plus, Laurence Llewelyn Bowen picked a supermarket to stock her stuff (pretty flashy, sure). home decor rangeand wherever he approves I approve, darling.
