EXCLUSIVE: Aldi removes newspapers from sale as trial fails to win discounter’s support for UK-wide rollout

Newspublisher efforts to secure listings in Aldi’s nearly 1,000 UK stores were dashed this week when the discounter ended long-running newspaper trials in its stores.

An Aldi spokesperson confirmed print titles had been removed from sale this week, telling RN: “A short-term trial selling newspapers and magazines at a small number of our stores has now come to an end.” 

Aldi sites began selling a limited range of national newspapers in early 2021 in a trial spearheaded by the Daily Mail. The trial came around 18 months after Aldi removed all newspapers and magazines from its stores due to an alleged commercial dispute with magazine merchandisers Fore.

One industry source this week claimed Aldi’s trial was being ‘watched closely’ by rival supermarkets, with the end decision not to proceed with a rollout putting more pressure on the newspaper and magazine category in other major retailers.

Although publishers had claimed 40 Aldi stores were involved, RN understands the final number stood at 20 sites spread mostly between Greater London, the South East and East Midlands.

When the trial began, independent retailers near to participating Aldi stores and The Fed had expressed concerns over the impact on local shop sales, while those higher up the supply chain had claimed it was good news “for everyone who benefits from greater volumes in the supply chain.”

The decision by Aldi to axe the category comes as grocery retailers look to streamline operations and cut costs in order to pass on savings to hard-pressed consumers.

Towns with Aldi stores that News UK claimed were selling newspapers before last week were Alfreton, Alton, Anerley, Belper, Bingham, Boston, Brighton, Charlton, Clay Cross, Coulsdon, Dover, Ewell, Fareham, Gosport, Grantham, Gravesend, Heanor, Hucknall, Ilkeston, Kidbrooke, Kingston upon Thames, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Lewes, Lincoln, Mansfield, New Malden, Newark, Portsmouth, Sevenoaks, Skegness, Sleaford, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Thamesmead and Tooting.

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