Aldi's UK chief departs

Published: 13 August, 2009

Paul Foley, managing director of Aldi in the UK, has left the company with immediate effect after 20 years with the group.

Paul Foley, managing director of Aldi in the UK, has left the company with immediate effect after 20 years with the group. The move follows the first blip in Aldi's UK sales trading for months, with only a 8% rise in sales in the 12 weeks to July 13 against a 20 to 25% rise in sales in 2008.

It signals the end of what had been unprecedented growth for the German retailer in the UK, which had resulted in Tesco changing tack to proclaim itself "Britain's biggest discounter". A concerted effort to promote discounted own label lines across the Big Four multiples has seen a sharp decline in Aldi's sales.

Foley is to be replaced by Armin Burger, who had been running Aldi's Austrian division.

Foley said in a statement: "I have enjoyed my 20 years with Aldi and worked with a fantastic team of directors, managers, staff and business partners."

The group said Foley's departure would have no impact on its UK expansion plans which could see up to 1,500 Aldi stores compared to its current network of 500 outlets.

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