Mayo producers gather for ALDI Supplier Conference
Retailer commits to spending over €1.1 billion with Irish suppliers in 2023
ALDI Ireland’s Mayo suppliers joined those from right across Ireland at the retailer’s annual Supplier Conference (yesterday (January 25) and Wednesday, February 1), which is taking place this year for the first time since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. ALDI welcomed representatives from its 330-strong supplier network to the company’s headquarters in Naas, Co. Kildare, to hear about the latest developments within ALDI and discuss new product development opportunities available to the Irish supplier base.
Some of those in attendance at the conference from Mayo included O’Hara’s of Foxford, and Ultrapure Laboratories LTD, who supply ALDI with baked goods, and baby products.
The conference takes place against the backdrop of an ever-changing retail landscape in which consumers strive for better value in the face of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Recent research commissioned by ALDI revealed that 77% of people have financial worries due to the crisis, the same number (77%) have already switched to private label goods, and 73% of consumers have switched to discount retailers.
Informed by this, ALDI is doubling down on its price promise and putting additional discounts in place to shield its customers from continued inflation while continuing to provide them with access to quality, affordable, nutritious food without compromise.
Speaking at the conference, ALDI Ireland Group Buying Director John Curtin said: “We are delighted to be able to welcome our suppliers back under one roof after such a long hiatus and look forward to continuing the great work we’ve done with all of them. Our local suppliers are the heart of our business here in Ireland and together we want to continue on this path of providing quality Irish produce at market leading prices.
Our research has shown us that as customers are increasingly seeking value in their weekly shop during this cost-of-living crisis, they are continuing to make the switch own label products of equal quality.
At ALDI, we are committed to championing our Irish producers so that our customers can enjoy the very best products Ireland has to offer and that our producers can continue to grow their businesses. It has been a privilege to have so many of our suppliers together for the duration of the conference, and we look forward to working with them and announcing more deals throughout 2023 and beyond.”
This deal follows recent commitments by ALDI to suppliers Broderick's and Cookie Dó in late 2022, which included €7.5 million for Broderick’s to continue supplying all ALDI’s Irish and UK stores, while also supplying 300 ALDI stores in the USA. Last week, the company announced the creation of more than 360 new jobs across the country in 2023, as the retailer continues to develop and grow its store network in Ireland.