All systems remain go for Aldi growth

● Food discounter hits record sales ● But profits down 17% amid price war

29,000 people throughout the UK, said it secured bumper sales growth despite the wider grocery market expanding by just 0.5 per cent over the period, according to industry figures from Kantar Worldpanel.

Its sales were partly boosted by a strong Christmas period last year, with sales in December rising 15 per cent year-onyear.

However, gross profits fell 7 per cent to £324.5m.

The company said it would launch another 150 stores under its £300m “Project Fresh” strategy, which aims to devote more space for its fresh, chilled and food-to-go ranges.

Aldi said the Brexit vote would not impact its UK investment strategy, and that capital spending of £459m was pencilled in for the current financial year.

A recent independent study by the Centre for Economics andbusinessresearch(cebr) said the retailer currently contributes some £380m to the Scottish economy.

The report said this contribution combines job creation, tax contributions and capital investment.

One retail analyst commented: “The latest results show Aldi remains on the front foot as far as expansion is concerned, but the reduced profits bear the marks of sharp competition in the sector.”