Aldi has boasted a profitable festive period in which it raked in almost £1 billion in sales during December.

The discount grocery retailer said it recorded its best-ever UK Christmas trading period, which it credited to the increased demand for premium ranges.

December 17 was the busiest week for Aldi with sales increasing by 10 per cent compared to the previous year.

During the month, 17 million bottles of wine, champagne and prosecco were bought.

“We begin the new year with great momentum as the UK’s fastest-growing supermarket and on the back of record Christmas sales,” Aldi UK chief executive Giles Hurley said.

“This has been achieved by bringing amazing-quality groceries at the lowest prices to our customers and this remains our key focus for the year ahead.”

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