// Aldi ensures customers it will be “business as usual” during the Christmas period
// The pledge comes as grocers face ongoing shortage of HGV drivers
Aldi chief executive Giles Hurley has pledged that it will be “business as usual” during the Christmas period despite the ongoing shortage of HGV drivers.
The grocery sector warned of potential food shortages and empty shelves due to a lack of lorry drivers.
Hurley ensured that due to Aldi’s reduced ranges and the fact it employs over three-quarters of its drivers directly, it is better protected from such challenges.
READ MORE: Aldi to create 2000 new jobs as sales reach record £13.5 billion
“There’s no doubt current circumstances are testing the industry… but it’s business as usual for us,” he said.
“I think we’re uniquely placed to weather the storm – we have a refined range and fewer suppliers.
“We actually employ more of our drivers directly than a majority of the market and on leading terms and conditions, and a lot of what we source is British and that means our supply chains are a little shorter and easier to control.”
While Hurley said no grocer was completely immune to inflationary pressures, he said Aldi’s “very unique business model” means the discounter will be able to “insulate customers far better than anyone else”.
Hurley also said he was expecting people to celebrate Christmas more this year than at any other time in the recent past.
“Our predictions are that this will be a more festive Christmas than ever before, that people will get together like they never have,” he said.
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