Aldi Nord and Aldi Sud may have been considering a merger of the two companies.
Updated Article
Two German discount supermarket titans, Aldi North and Aldi South, are exploring a potential merger, according to confidential discussions between the owner families, as reported by Wirtschaftswoche. The families behind the respective Albrecht groups oversee the two entities via foundations.
Several scenarios are under consideration, including a unification of the two retail giants under a joint holding company. In this arrangement, shares would be equally divided among the foundations representing the different family branches.
Negotiations regarding the consolidation of various business areas, such as software and IT, have reportedly been extensive. The initial goal of a family reunion by the end of the year is unlikely to be met, given the complexities involved. Both Aldi North and Aldi South have declined to comment on the matter.
Founded in 1946, Aldi currently operates more than 13,000 discount stores worldwide, with the first store opening in Essen, Germany. In 1961, the Albrecht brothers split the company and its branches into Aldi North and Aldi South.
Regarding their current business strategies, Aldi U.S., also known as Aldi South, is aggressively expanding. The company aims to open 800 new stores by 2028, including 225 stores in 2025 alone, and has announced leadership changes. Meanwhile, Aldi North, primarily operating in Denmark, France, Poland, and the Netherlands, has limited expansion-related information available.
As of now, there's no detailed or recent information on a potential merger between Aldi North and Aldi South. The focus of Aldi U.S. remains on aggressive expansion within the U.S. Any merger, if it were to occur, would require substantial strategic alignment and might be influenced by market and regulatory factors.
The potential merger between Aldi North and Aldi South, if it were to occur, might involve revisions in their community policy, as well as employment policy, given the changes in business structure. Various industry sectors, such as software and finance, could also be affected by this consolidation, necessitating careful discussions and strategic alignments with the respective companies and partners.
