Culina Group has invested £2m in a new facility to support Aldi and Lidl’s expansion in the UK.
- The Chilled Consolidation Centre in Lutterworth aims to enhance logistics for the supermarket giants.
- A 40% increase in capacity is expected to meet the rising demand from retail discounters.
- The venture will generate 140 jobs spanning warehousing, HGV driving, and administration.
- Aldi and Lidl’s market share in the UK food and drink sector has climbed to 17.8% from 13.6% in five years.
Culina Group has committed £2 million towards establishing a new Chilled Consolidation Centre in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, marking a significant development in logistical support for the expanding supermarket chains Aldi and Lidl. This investment comes as a response to the increasing presence of these retail discounters in the UK market.
The new facility represents a strategic effort to bolster capacity, enhancing Culina’s ability to handle increased volumes of chilled food and drink products supplied to these supermarkets. Notably, this move builds on their existing operations at a single-site warehouse in Telford, effectively increasing their capacity by over 40% to meet growing demands.
This expansion is not merely about increased capacity; it also brings substantial employment opportunities. Approximately 140 jobs are set to be created, spanning multiple sectors including warehousing, HGV driving, and administrative roles, indicating a boost to the local economy and workforce engagement.
The growing influence of Aldi and Lidl in the UK food and drink retail market is underscored by the statistics: their combined market share has surged to 17.8%, a significant increase from 13.6% just five years ago. This impressive growth is a key driver behind Culina’s latest investment strategy.
Steve Winwood, the chief executive of Culina’s chilled division, emphasised the strategic importance of the new centre, stating that it positions the company well to accommodate the market’s expanding needs. “Aldi and Lidl now jointly represent around 17.8% of the total food and drink retail market in the UK,” he remarked, highlighting the growing demand and the necessity for enhanced logistics solutions to support this upward trend.
The newly established facility underscores Culina’s strategic foresight in aligning with the burgeoning growth of Aldi and Lidl in the UK market.
