Aldi closes in Denmark

The German discount giant, Aldi, is withdrawing from the Danish market.

‘After careful review of the activities in all markets, Aldi Nord has made a difficult but necessary strategic decision to leave the Danish market,’ according to the CEO of Aldi Denmark. This is indeed a paradox because Aldi’s concept seems more relevant than ever before. However, Aldi had faced fierce competition in Denmark with 4 other very strong competitors and has not been able to attract Danish consumers.

Rema, the Norwegian discounter, has acquired the Aldi chain in Denmark. Thus, the circle is closed in a way. It was the Aldi founders who inspired the Norwegian Rema founders. The acquisition of Aldi Denmark has been “very emotional” for the Reitan family, “especially for my father Odd Reitan, who traveled to Germany in 1976 to study the business model of the Albrecht brothers. It became the inspiration for the whole low-price philosophy behind Rema 1000. They were great role models for us, so it is great to conclude such an agreement in such a good way”, says Ole Robert Reitan the son of Odd Reitan, referring to the fact that it was Aldi itself that contacted Rema 1000 last summer and presented the idea that the Norwegian chain should take over the Danish Aldi stores.