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Aldi South

OVERALL

Owned
GER
Rating
Praises, some criticism

Budget supermarkets

Aldi was founded in Germany by the Albrecht brothers is 1913. In 1960 Aldi split into 2 independent groups, Aldi Nord (North) and Aldi Sud (South). Aldi's Australian operations are part of Aldi Sud.

Aldi Sud   GER     website         

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Aldi Sud
Environment Palm oil scorecard - WWF
The WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2019 assesses 173 companies on the commitments they have made, and the actions they have taken, to ensure that there is no destruction of nature including no deforestation along their supply chains; and support a responsible and sustainable palm oil industry beyond their own supply chain. This company is rated 'leading the way' with a score of 18.3 out of a possible total of 22.
Source: WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2019 (2019)
Social Bangladesh Safety Accord signatory
This company has signed the 'Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh', a program endorsed by Bangladeshi and international unions and labor rights organizations. The ground-breaking program includes independent safety inspections with public reports, mandatory factory building renovations, the obligation by brands and retailers to underwrite the cost of repairs, and a vital role for workers and their unions – all in a legally-binding, enforceable agreement.
Source: Bangladesh Accord (2019)
Social Ethical Trading Initiative member
The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is an alliance of companies, trade unions and NGOs. They work in partnership to improve the lives of workers across the globe who make or grow consumer goods - everything from tea to T-shirts, from flowers to footballs. This company's membership status is 'Foundation stage'.
Source: Ethical Trading Initiative (2021)
Social Chocolate scorecard
In 2021 Mighty Earth and Be Slavery Free released their Easter Chocolate Shopping Guide, a scorecard which ranks retailers on transparency and cocoa sustainability practices in regards to deforestation, farmer poverty and child labour. It does not assess effectiveness or implementation. This company is rated as "Leading the industry on policy".
Source: Be Slavery Free (2021)
Animals Tier 3 in farm animal welfare rankings
The 2020 Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) report ranks global food companies on how they are managing and reporting their farm animal welfare policies and practices. This company appeared in tier 3, "Established but work to be done", with tier 1 being the best, and tier 6 the worst.
Source: BBFAW (2020)
Business Ethics 31/100 in Fashion Transparency Index
The 2021 Fashion Transparency Index reviewed 250 of the world's largest fashion brands and retailers and ranked them according to how much they disclose about their social and environmental policies, practices and impacts. Brands owned by this company scored 31%, signifying it is publishing suppliers lists as well as detailed information about their policies, procedures, social and environmental goals, supplier assessment and remediation processes, and is more likely to be addressing issues such as living wages and collective bargaining. The average score was 23% and the highest score was 78%.
Source: Fashion Revolution (2021)
Social Poverty wages in Bangladesh
An investigation by Daily Mail journalists in 2017 found workers in Bangladesh making clothes for this company were being paid 25p (less than 0.5 AUD) an hour. Workers endure 12 hour shifts in stifling conditions. Some of the mothers are forced to live hundreds of miles away from their families and can only afford to make the journey twice a year.
Source: Daily Mail (2017)
Environment 31% in Forest 500 Rankings
Forest 500 identifies the 350 companies and 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to tropical deforestation risk, and annually assesses them on the strength and implementation of their deforestation and human rights commitments. This company received a score of 31%.
Source: Forest 500 (2021)
Environment Unsustainable palm oil use
This company scores Ethical Consumer's worst rating for their use of palm oil, signifying they are using no or minimal certified palm products, and with no or minimal positive commitments.
Source: Ethical Consumer (2022)
Social D rating in Green to the Core report
Aldi received an overall score of 'D' in Consumer Focus's 2009 Green to the Core report, which rates the UK's top nine supermarkets on how well they inform consumers about sustainability issues and help them make more sustainable choices. The report uses four environmental indicators: climate change, sustainable farming, sustainable fishing, and waste and recycling. Aldi "scored highly in some areas - 100 per cent closed door freezers and a high proportion of sustainable content in packaging. However, let down by lack of information for consumers in many areas and could do better in the amount of UK in-season produce."
Source: Consumer Focus (2009)
Social Pesticides policy
This 2011 report by Pesticide Action Network UK compares the top nine UK supermarkets' policies on pesticides. Aldi came equal last in the report, after failing to make any progress despite being the lowest performer in 2009. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: Pesticide Action Network UK (2011)
Social Special bargains from China
This 2009 report by SUDWIND (part of the German Clean Clothes Campaign) uncovers massive rights violations in Chinese factories that supply special bargains to Aldi. 'The mostly female employees worked up to 91 hours per week and yet were hardly able to make a living from their meager wages. The work load is enormous, and mistakes are being punished by fines. Fundamental labour and women's rights such as the right to maternity leave and to freedom of association are being suppressed.'
Source: Clean Clothes Campaign (2009)
Social Sweatshop labour
Named in the Clean Clothes Campaign 'Cashing In' report on five top global retailers: Carrefour, Walmart, Tesco, Aldi, and Lidl, highlighting poor working conditions where these discounters produce their clothes and taking the companies to task for failing to take sufficient action to address these problems.
Source: Clean Clothes Campaign (2009)
Business Ethics Dominate small retailers
As a discount chain store, they have been criticised for running smaller retailers out of business. Bavarian dairy farmers picketed Aldi stores, which they blame for a ruinous 15% plunge in milk prices since 2001. [listed as Information due to age of article]
Source: news (2004)
Environment Detox commitment
Greenpeace launched its "Detox My Fashion" campaign in 2011 to expose the direct links between global clothing brands, their suppliers and toxic water pollution around the world. As a result, many companies, including this one, committed to Greenpeace's Detox Program.
Source: Greenpeace (2018)
Environment Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target.
Source: We Mean Business (2021)
Animals Fur free retailer
This retailer has committed to being a fur free retailer, as recognised by the International Fur Free Retailer Program.
Source: Fur Free Retailer (2019)
Business Ethics Transparency Pledge
The Apparel and Footwear Supply Chain Transparency Pledge (Transparency Pledge) helps demonstrate apparel and footwear companies' commitment towards greater transparency in their manufacturing supply chain. Transparency of a company's manufacturing supply chain better enables a company to collaborate with civil society in identifying, assessing, and avoiding actual or potential adverse human rights impacts. This is a critical step that strengthens a company's human rights due diligence. This company has published some supplier factory information, but falls short of the Pledge standard.
Source: Transparency Pledge (2019)
Business Ethics US Plastics Pact signatory
This company is a signatory to the US Plastics Pact, a collaborative effort organized by The Recycling Partnership and the World Wildlife Fund, launched as part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's global Plastics Pact network to unify diverse public-private stakeholders across the plastics value chain to rethink the way we design, use, and reuse plastics, to create a path forward to realize a circular economy for plastic in the United States. In line with the Ellen McArthur Foundation's vision of a circular economy for plastics, which unites more than 850+ organizations, the US Plastics Pact brings together companies, government entities, NGOs, researchers, and other stakeholders to work collectively toward scalable solutions tailored to the unique needs and challenges within the U.S. landscape, through vital knowledge sharing and coordinated action.
Source: US Plastics Pact (2020)
Business Ethics Better Cotton Initiative member
This company is a member of the Better Cotton Initiative, a voluntary initiative which encourages the adoption of better management practices in cotton cultivation to achieve measurable reductions in key environmental impacts, while improving social and economic benefits for cotton farmers, small and large, worldwide.
Source: Better Cotton Initiative (2019)
Business Ethics Leather Working Group member
This company is a member of the Leather Working Group, a multi-stakeholder group who's objective is to develop and maintain a protocol that assesses the compliance and environmental performance of tanners and promotes sustainable and appropriate environmental business practices within the leather industry.
Source: Leather Working Group (2019)
Business Ethics Materials sourcing
The Material Change Index (MCI) is a voluntary benchmark that tracks the apparel and textiles sector's progress toward more sustainable materials sourcing (cotton, polyester, nylon, manmade cellulosics, wool, down and leather), as well as alignment with global efforts like the Sustainable Development Goals and the transition to a circular economy. This company was rated "Maturing", the second highest performance band.
Source: Textile Exchange (2020)
Business Ethics 37.2% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2021 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #51/350, with a total score of 37.2/100.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2021)
Information Company profile
This 2010 Der Spiegel article explores "What Makes the Aldi Discount Empire Tick".
Source: Der Spiegel (2010)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Family-owned private company
Revenue 91.9 billion USD (2018)
Subsidiaries Aldi Stores (A Limited Partnership) 

Budget supermarkets

The first Australian ALDI store opened in January 2001. Today they operate over 500 stores throughout Australia.


ALDI Inc 

Supermarkets

Contact Details

Address Mulheim, Germany
Website www.aldi-sued.de

Products / Brands

Aldi Australia
Alcafe Coffee
ALDI Supermarkets
ALDI brands House Brands
Almat Laundry Detergent
Anco Soft Fabric Softener
Asia Specialties Asian
Asia Specialties Soy/Asian Sauce
Atlas Pest Control
Bakers Life Flat Bread
Bakers Life Bread
Beautifully Butterfully Butter & Margarine
Belmont Biscuits/Crackers
Berg Smallgoods/Pork
Blackstone Popcorn
Blackstone Chips/Crisps
Bramwells Peanut/Nut Butter
Bramwells Honey
Bramwells Chocolate Spread
Bramwells Cheese Spread
Brannans Butchery Poultry
Brew Room certified organic certified organic  Kombucha
Broad Oak Farms Poultry
Brookdale Topping & Syrup
Brookdale Jelly
Brookdale Cones & Waffles
Brooklea Yoghurt
Burrandy Soft Drinks
Cachet Cat Food
Casa Barelli Pasta Sauce
Casa Barelli Fresh Pasta
Casa Barelli Frozen Meals/Pizza
Chazoos Popcorn
Chazoos Chips/Crisps
Chef's Cupboard Cooking Sauce
Chef's Cupboard Stock
Chef's Cupboard Gravy
Choceur UTZ certified UTZ certified  Chocolate
Cola Soft Drinks
Colway Tomato/BBQ Sauce
Colway Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise
Colway Pickles, Chutney & Relish
Colway Mustard
Confidence Toilet Paper
Confidence Tissues
Confidence Paper Towels
Corale Baked Beans/Spaghetti
Country Orchard Juice & Fruit Drinks
Cowbelle Cheese
Dairy Dream Yoghurt
Dairy Fine UTZ certified UTZ certified  Chocolate
Damora Rice/Corn Cakes
Damora Biscuits/Crackers
Deli Originals Dips
Deli Originals Pickles, Chutney & Relish
Dentitex Toothpaste
Dentitex Toothbrush
Dentitex Mouthwash
Devil's Orchard Cider
Di-San Stain Removal & Prewash
Diplomat Tea
Dominion Sweets & Lollies
Earth Grown Vegetarian & Vegan
El Tora Mexican
Elmsbury Pies & Pasties
Elmsbury Frozen Pastry
Emporium Selection Cheese
Essential Health Weight Loss
Essential Health Sports Nutrition
Essential Health Vitamins
Essential Health Bandages
Expressi some products certified Fairtrade some products certified Fairtrade  Coffee
Farmdale Pudding & Custard
Farmdale Milk Powder
Farmdale Milk
Farmdale Cream
Farmwood Finger Food
Fizzi Soft Drinks
Flirt Mints & Gum
Flying Power Energy Drinks
Food Envy Custard & Desserts
Forresters Dried Fruit & Nuts
Fraser Briggs Beer
Goldenvale Muesli & Oats
Goldenvale Cereal
Goliath Foil/Cling Wrap/Bags
Grandessa Jam
Green Action Laundry Detergent
Green Action Medicinal Oils
Green Action Multi-Purpose Cleaners
Green Action Toilet Cleaners
Green Action Dishwashing Detergent
Hair Tresses Shampoo
Has No Health Foods
Hedafen Pain Relief Tablets
Hedanol Pain Relief Tablets
Highland Park Beef
Hillcrest Muesli Bars
Hydale Canned Meat/Meals
Imperial Grain Rice
Inner Goodness Soy/Plant Milk
International Cuisine Frozen Meals/Pizza
International Cuisine Finger Food
Ironbark Pork Smallgoods/Pork
Jindurra Beef
Juliet Body Body Wash
Julius Pet Food (chilled)
Julius Dog Treats
Julius Dog Food
Jump Soft Drinks
Just Organic certified organic certified organic  Tofu/Soy
Just Organic certified organic certified organic  Health Foods
Lacura Skin Care
Lacura Cosmetics
Lacura Cotton Buds/Balls
Lacura Deodorant
Laundrite Laundry Detergent
Lazzio Coffee
Lodge Farms Eggs
Logix Dishwashing Detergent
Lyttos Yoghurt
Mamia Nappies
Mamia Baby Wipes
Mamia Baby Formula
Mamia Baby Food
Market Fare Frozen Vegies/Chips
Merryfield (sucrose) Sugar & Sweeteners
Milfina Ice Cream
Monarc Ice Cream
Moo Box Flavoured Milk
Moser Roth certified Fairtrade certified Fairtrade  Chocolate
Natural Blonde Beer
Natural Elements Dog Food
Natures Essence Shampoo
New Season Canned Vegies/Beans
Northbrook Soft Drinks
Northbrook Sparkling Water
Northbrook Bottled Water
NRG Maxx Milk Flavouring
Ocean Rise Canned Fish (Tuna)
Ocean Rise Canned Fish
Ocean Royale Frozen Fish
Oh So Natural Health Foods
Olivia Feminine Hygiene
Ombra Sunscreen
Orangee Soft Drinks
Orchard & Vine Frozen Desserts/Fruit
Piatti Fresh Fresh Pasta
Pick'd Juice & Fruit Drinks
Portview Canned Fish
Portview Canned Fish (Tuna)
Power Force Disinfectant
Power Force Toilet Cleaners
Power Force Multi-Purpose Cleaners
Power Force Gloves
Power Force Scourers, Sponges & Wipes
Power Force Bathroom Cleaners
Power Force Window & Glass Cleaners
Power Force Floor Cleaners
Prince Mens Grooming
Prince Shavers
Prince Body Wash
Prince Deodorant
Protane Hair Styling
Protane Shampoo
Pure Tropics Coconut Water
Pure Vita Cooking Oil
Pure Vita Vinegar
Purewick Air Fresheners
Quick Start Breakfast On the Go
Ram Flavoured Milk
Regal Soft Drinks
Remano Olive Oil
Remano Pasta
Remano Canned Vegies/Beans
Remano Vinegar
Remano Pasta Sauce
Remano Frozen Meals/Pizza
Repellex Pest Control
Sainte Etienne Beer (imported)
San-i-Pet Cat Litter
Sana Incontinence Needs
Seasons Pride Frozen Vegies/Chips
Silks Indian
Silvester's Cat Food
Simplee Noodles
Simplee Soup
Simply Vegetarian Vegetarian & Vegan
Solesta Juice & Fruit Drinks
Sprinters Chips/Crisps
Stonemill Crushed Garlic
Stonemill Herbs & Spices
Storm Brewing Co Beer
Sunny Vale Butter & Margarine
Sweet Haven Frozen Desserts/Fruit
Sweet Valley Canned Fruit
Sweet Vine Dried Fruit & Nuts
Tandil Dishwashing Detergent
Tea Burst Iced Tea
The Cake Stall Cakes
The Olive Tree Australian Extra Virgin certified Australian Extra Virgin certified  Olive Oil
The Soup Co Soup
Tricare Body Wash
Tricare Hand Wash/Sanitiser
Tricare Soap
Trimat Laundry Detergent
Unamat Dishwashing Detergent
Urban Eats Finger Food
Vodka Crush Premix Spirits
Westacre Cheese
Westcliff Cordial
Westcliff Juice & Fruit Drinks
White Mill Cake Mix
White Mill Flour & Bread Mix
White Mill Yeast & Baking Agents
Will & Jess Cake Mix
Willowton free range free range  Poultry
World Kitchen Ready Meals
Yippee Ice Cream
Yoconut Vegetarian & Vegan


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