The rapid growth of ALDI France did not slow the pace of sustainability initiatives, such as the introduction of fair local agreements to promote the French agricultural sector and producers.
ALDI France is growing. The acquisition of Leader Price increased the number of our stores by 440, reaching a total of 1,309 stores. We added three new distribution centres and welcomed over 6,000 new employees to ALDI France in 2021.
Our focus in 2021 was to promote the French agricultural sector and producers. Our representatives signed the first tripartite contract with French suppliers, aiming to offer our customers non-GMO own brand milk produced and collected in France, and for which the producers are fairly renumerated.
In September 2021, we also signed an agreement on Limousin cattle meat that guarantees fair remuneration for producers and local quality meat, along with respect for the environment through High Natural Value (HNV) certified farms. Our plan is to expand with other sectors.
We also support broadly responsible sourcing through several initiatives — for instance, we made a commitment to the French Initiative for sustainable cocoa.
Despite its rapid growth, ALDI France is redoubling its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by introducing measures in all new stores. 85 per cent of new stores have switched to energy-efficient LED lighting and 69 per cent have climate-friendly cooling systems. ALDI France is also pursuing implementation of its ambitious photovoltaic system, with a goal of 270 additional PV by the end of 2024. Since March 2022, ALDI France has made a commitment through the voluntary FRET21 programme to reduce its emissions in downstream transport by seven per cent between 2021 and 2024.
100 %
of our own-brand milk provides fair remuneration for farmers
100% of our own-brand milk provides fair remuneration for farmers through the agreement signed in 2022 for our organic own-brand milk.
134
photovoltaic systems on our stores (12,798 kWp installed)
The number of photovoltaic panels on our stores increased in 2021 to reach a total capacity of 12,798 kWp. The next step is implementation of 270 additional PV by the end of 2024.
| Regional companies |
13 |
| Stores |
1,309 |
| Total ALDI employees |
16,428 |
| Year of market entry |
1988 |
| Website |
www.aldi.fr |
|
Goal |
Description and scope |
Status 2021 & next steps |
SDG |
|---|---|---|---|
|
100% transparency and traceability of products containing meat by end of 2022 |
Labelling of all own-brand products containing at least 5% meat with the ATC code. |
Project ongoing. |
|
|
100% BEE FRIENDLY-certified apples and pears by end of 2021 |
100% European BEE FRIENDLY-certified apples and pears in the French stores by end of 2021. |
Project ongoing. |
|
|
100% of own-brand products labelled with the Nutri-Score by end of 2023 |
Labelling of all own-brand food products with the Nutri-Score by end of 2023. |
Project ongoing. |
|
|
Goal |
Description and scope |
Status 2021 & next steps |
SDG |
|---|---|---|---|
|
100% certified cocoa by end of 2020 |
Transition to certified cocoa (UTZ, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and organic) for all our own-brand products by end of 2020. |
Goal achieved. |
|
|
75% certified sustainable fish and seafood products by end of 2019 |
Conversion of 75% of own-brand fish and seafood products in France to certified sustainable goods by end of 2019. |
Project ongoing. |
|
|
Ban on battery eggs from 2020 |
End the use of battery eggs for processed products in France by end of 2020 and end the sale of battery eggs in France (fresh eggs) by end of 2025. |
Project ongoing. Own-brand products containing eggs: in progress. 94.3% of the amount of products containing eggs were produced with eggs from cage-free farming (2020: 79.3%). |
|
|
In 2026, all of our relevant own-brand products must comply with the European Chicken Commitment criteria |
In 2026, all of our chicken products (raw and processed, and fresh and frozen products containing more than 50% chicken) sold in France under our own brands will comply with European Chicken Commitment (ECC) criteria. In addition, by 2026, 20% of our sales volume in this range of products will come from farms that guarantee chickens have access to outdoor space or open-air shelter. |
Project ongoing. |
|
Goal |
Description and scope |
Status 2021 & next steps |
SDG |
|---|---|---|---|
|
120 photovoltaic systems by end of 2021 |
Installation of 120 photovoltaic systems on new stores in France by end of 2021. |
Goal achieved. |
|
|
270 additional photovoltaic systems by end of 2024 |
Installation of 270 additional photovoltaic systems on stores in France by end of 2024. |
New goal. |
|
