15.01.25 Supermarket Showdown: New Year, New Products, New Strategies

This podcast episode covers recent news from various UK supermarkets. • Aldi UK: Aldi UK experienced a successful Christmas season in 2024 with sales exceeding £1.6 billion in December. Aldi was also named the UK’s cheapest supermarket for the fourth year in a row by Which? and celebrated by giving away £20,000 worth of groceries to one shopper. Aldi also released new home fragrance items including candles and diffusers for £2.99 each. In celebration of Burns Night, a new Glen Orrin 3-Year-Old Peated Whisky was launched for £17.99. Aldi's first batch of hot cross buns for Easter are already available with prices from 18p. • Aldi US: Aldi US issued a recall of Casa Mamita chicken and cheese taquitos after customers reported finding metal pieces and suffering dental injuries. • Asda: Asda recalled its George Home Baby Walker because of a choking hazard. Asda also recalled McGhee’s Family Bakers Scottish Brown Rolls because soya was not declared as an ingredient on the packaging. Additionally, Asda sells “I’m a Faithful” and “I’m a Traitor” pajamas based on the BBC show The Traitors. Asda’s chief retail officer Simon Gregg has left the company to join Boots. • Tesco: Tesco added soup to its meal deal options. A new decorative olive tree with fairy lights is also for sale for £38 for Clubcard members. • Lidl GB: Lidl GB launched a range of 28 new plant-based products with prices from £1.09. • Boots: Boots hired Asda’s former chief retail officer Simon Gregg.