Discount Retail Chain Aldi Italy (German family owned) and part of the Aldi Sud Group, multinational reality of reference of the large-scale retail trade among the most important world operators, greets 2021 with important milestones, confirming the importance and uniqueness that the Italian market has for the company. Three drivers that have guided Aldi's growth, pillars of the development strategy: investments in the territory, enhancement of collaborators and attention to sustainability, in particular to the environment and communities. In 2021 Aldi crossed the finish line of 138 stores in 6 regions of Northern Italy- Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentino-Alto Adige and Emilia-Romagna - thanks to 31 new openings, with an average of 2.6 openings per month.
The expansion of the last year confirms the success of the “Aldi Price” also in Italy: 30 brands, 130 fruit and vegetable references and a food offer for 80% Made in Italy to guarantee quality and low prices. A promise of convenience rewarded by the Altroconsumo 2021 survey, which for the fourth consecutive year confirmed Aldi Discount Salvaprezzo in Italy - Cheaper products.
Michael Gscheidlinger, Aldi's country managing director Italy, underlines: “ Italy is special, unique, a territory with which Aldi collaborates with passion. We have achieved important results despite the difficulties of the pandemic, which still has a strong impact on our lives. Our growth creates jobs, stimulates the local economy and brings a new offer to Italian consumers. Sustainability and responsibility are the guiding values for our near future. 2022 will see us strongly committed to expanding our network of points of sale and consolidating our quality offer, selected and with discount accessibility for all".
At the end of 2021, over 2,400 collaborators work in the network of stores in Italy and in the two logistics centers of Oppeano (VR) and Landriano (PV), with an increase of about 20% compared to the previous year. With 800 new positions open in 2021, the group has significantly accelerated its recruiting and support plan to store teams, but also to key departments such as logistics, marketing, IT, real estate development, purchasing and HR. The value positioning that Aldi is progressively conquering on the Italian market is also confirmed by Universum Global's Most Attractive Employer 2021 certification, which awarded the company as one of the most attractive realities for young Italian university students and professionals.
Towards climate neutrality. Aldi's commitment to the environment saw a significant milestone in 2021: the opening of the first CO2-neutral point of sale in Moniga del Garda (BS) which meets the new construction prototype standard, the highest level of energy efficiency of the company. The store concept adopted, which has more than 15% lower energy consumption than the average of the other stores, will also be replicated in 2022.
The opening of the Moniga del Garda store, in addition to being related to the 2030 "Zero Carbon" international strategy for reducing global warming, has contributed to further limiting Aldi's impact on the environment in the last year: compared to 2018, energy consumption fell by 7% thanks to continuous energy efficiency activities. The presence of 80 photovoltaic plants guaranteed, in 2021, a production of over 3.5 million kWh of green energy, with a reduction in CO2 emissions of 1,887 tons. Since the company's entry into Italy in March 2018, over 6.8 million kWh of energy have been produced from solar photovoltaic sources, equal to onereduction of 3,655 tons of carbon dioxide in the environment. These results reinforce Aldi's commitment to the environment in Italy in view of an important goal: the achievement of carbon neutrality in 2022 also through CO2 offset projects in collaboration with ClimatePartner.
Furthermore, new results were achieved in the context of the "Aldi, Missione Im-Ballo!" Packaging material optimization project. : to date there are 57 items in the assortment with plastic-free packaging, in recycled or recyclable materials, including those born from the partnership with Plastic Bank and made 100% with plastic waste recovered from the oceans.
In a year in which the effects of the health emergency have had a strong impact also from an economic and social point of view, Aldi has consolidated its mission of solidarity by renewing the partnership with the Banco Alimentare Onlus Foundation on the occasion of the 25th National Day of Colletta Alimentare, donating over 390 tons of products, for a total of over 1,300 tons donated between 2018 and 2021.
Finally, the company's commitment to supporting medical-scientific research is strengthened: in addition to the partnership with the AIRC Foundation for the "Red Oranges for Research" and "Pomegranate for Research" campaigns , with donations of over 140 thousand euros from 2018 , Aldi will also participate in the "Io Vivo Sano" educational project of the Umberto Veronesi Foundation in 2022, aimed at primary and secondary schools of I and II degreewith the aim of promoting correct lifestyles among the new generations and encouraging responsible health choices. Efficiency, support for the economy and employment, but also sustainability and long-term partnerships are the pillars of Aldi's commitment to Italy and the guidelines for growth for the future.
See here for more: https://www.fruitbookmagazine.it/aldi-continua-lespansione-in-italia-per-il-2022-attesa-la-climate-neutrality/
