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.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Nov 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Aldi Sud
Praise
Criticism
Information
Palm oil rating - WAZA
The PalmOil Scan app, produced by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), rates companies on their commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil. Companies are scored on their use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), commitment to sourcing CSPO, on-the-ground conservation action, and membership to the RSPO. Companies can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Poor or No Commitment. This company is rated "Good" (retrieved 18 Nov 2023).
Source: WAZA
(2023)
Palm oil scorecard - WWF
The 2024 WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard evaluates the progress and performance of 285 major retailers and manufacturer companies, focusing on actions companies have taken to ensure their own palm oil supply chain is sustainable and free of deforestation, natural ecosystem conversion, and human rights abuse. This company is rated 'well on path' with a score of 19.17 out of a possible total of 24.
Source: WWF Palm Oil Scorecard
(2024)
International Accord signatory
This company is a signatory to the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile & Garment Industry. The International Accord was established in 2021 as the successor to the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, which was established in 2013 in the wake of the Rana Plaza building collapse that killed more than 1,000 workers and seriously injured thousands more. Company signatories to the International Accord commit to: Disclosing all factories producing for them in countries with International Accord programs; Ensuring all listed factories participate in the inspection, remediation, and safety training programs; Supporting factories to ensure remediation is financially feasible; Contributing to the operational costs of International Accord programs. This company has also signed the Pakistan Accord.
Source: International Accord
(2023)
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'.
10.5/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2023 and received a score of 10.5/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
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)
Worker exploitation
Oxfam's 2022 report "No Limits to Exploitation" investigates migrant workers in the supply chains of German supermarkets. Based on on-site research and interviews with workers, the situation of migrants in pineapple and banana farming in Costa Rica and in the wine and table grape sector in South Africa is examined. The report found that fruits sold in Aldi are grown under inhumane working conditions, with migrant workers commonly being underpaid and overworked, plus cases of trade union repression, sexual exploitation, inadequate protection against pesticides and other labour rights violations.
Source: Oxfam
(2022)
21.4% 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 21.4%.
Source: Forest 500
(2023)
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
(2023)
13/100 in What Fuels Fashion?
What Fuels Fashion? is a single-issue, special edition of the Fashion Transparency Index. The 2024 report ranked 250 of the world's largest fashion brands and retailers according to their level of disclosure on climate and energy-related data in their own operations and supply chains. Brands owned by this company scored 13%. The average score was 18% and the highest score was 75%.
Source: Fashion Revolution
(2024)
Tier 4 in farm animal welfare rankings
The Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) 2023 Report ranks global food companies on their farm animal welfare policies, practices and performance. This company appeared in tier 4, "Making progress on implementation", with tier 1 being the best, and tier 6 the worst. This company was assigned an 'F' for its Impact Rating (A to F), which measures how well a company is improving animal welfare through actions and results.
Source: BBFAW
(2023)
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)
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)
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)
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]
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
(2022)
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
(2022)
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)
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
(2022)
Global Plastics Treaty endorsee
In 2022 after more than 170 nations backed a historic UN resolution to end plastic pollution, global businesses across the plastics value chain, financial institutions, and NGOs came together to announce a common vision for an effective and ambitious Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution. The vision will form the basis for future policy engagements with governments through a newly launched Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty which will be convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF. This company has endorsed the vision statement of the treaty.
Source: Global Plastics Treaty
(2023)
amfori BSCI member
This company is a member of the amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), an industry-driven movement that aims to monitor and assess workplace standards across the global supply chain. Participating companies are expected to follow a code of conduct which has 11 principles including no bonded labour, no child labour, fair renumeration, decent working hours and ethical business behavior.
Source: amfori
(2023)
56% in Supermarket Scorecard
In 2022 Oxfam analysed leading supermarket chains policies and practices on human rights in their supply chains. Oxfam asked whether supermarkets are transparent and accountable in the ways they ensure that workers' rights are respected, small-scale farmers are prosperous and the women who produce our food are treated fairly. This company scored 56%.
Source: Oxfam
(2022)
Chocolate scorecard
Be Slavery Free's 2024 Chocolate Scorecard rates all the major chocolate companies on their labour and environmental policies and practices. Companies were asked questions in six areas: traceability and transparency; living income; child labor; deforestation and climate; agroforestry; and pesticides. This retailer received a yellow rating: "Progressing in policy and practice."
Source: Be Slavery Free
(2024)
BHRRC company profile
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre digital platform presents news and allegations relating to the human rights impact of over 20,000 companies. Their enhanced Company Dashboards also include financial information, key data points based on corporate policies, and scores from prominent civil society benchmarks. Follow the link and use the search function to view this company's dashboard.
Source: BHRRC
(2022)
34/100 in Fashion Transparency Index
The 2023 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 human rights and environmental policies, practices and impacts. Brands owned by this company scored 34%, 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 26% and the highest score was 83%.
Source: Fashion Revolution
(2023)
33.5% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2023 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 #41/350, with a total score of 33.5/100.
23.8% in Nature Benchmark
The Nature Benchmark ranks 816 companies across 20 industries on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity. Companies were assessed in three phases between 2022 and 2024 using three measurement areas: governance and strategy; social inclusion and community impact; and ecosystems and biodiversity. This company was assessed in 2023 and is ranked #168/816, with a total score of 23.8/100.
Company profile
This 2010 Der Spiegel article explores "What Makes the Aldi Discount Empire Tick".
Source: Der Spiegel
(2010)
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.
Contact Details
Products / Brands
Aldi Australia
Alcafe
Coffee
ALDI
Supermarkets
ALDI brands
House Brands
Almat
Laundry Detergent
Anco Soft
Fabric Softener
Asia Specialties
Soy/Asian Sauce
Asia Specialties
Asian
Atlas
Pest Control
Bakers Life
Bread
Bakers Life
Flat Bread
Bauhn
Televisions
Bauhn
Soundbars
Beautifully Butterfully
Butter & Margarine
Belmont
Biscuits/Crackers
Berg
Smallgoods/Pork
Blackstone
Popcorn
Blackstone
Chips/Crisps
Bramwells
Cheese Spread
Bramwells
Chocolate Spread
Bramwells
Honey
Bramwells
Peanut/Nut Butter
Brannans Butchery
Poultry
Brew Room
Kombucha
★ certified organic
Broad Oak Farms
Poultry
Brookdale
Cones & Waffles
Brookdale
Jelly
Brookdale
Topping & Syrup
Brooklea
Yoghurt
Burrandy
Soft Drinks
Cachet
Cat Food
Casa Barelli
Fresh Pasta
Casa Barelli
Pasta Sauce
Casa Barelli
Frozen Meals/Pizza
Chazoos
Popcorn
Chazoos
Chips/Crisps
Chef's Cupboard
Gravy
Chef's Cupboard
Stock
Chef's Cupboard
Cooking Sauce
Choceur
Chocolate
★ UTZ certified
Cola
Soft Drinks
Colway
Mustard
Colway
Pickles, Chutney & Relish
Colway
Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise
Colway
Tomato/BBQ Sauce
Confidence
Tissues
Confidence
Paper Towels
Confidence
Toilet Paper
Corale
Baked Beans/Spaghetti
Country Orchard
Juice & Fruit Drinks
Cowbelle
Cheese
Dairy Dream
Yoghurt
Dairy Fine
Milk Flavouring
Dairy Fine
Chocolate
★ UTZ certified
Damora
Rice/Corn Cakes
Damora
Biscuits/Crackers
Deli Originals
Dips
Deli Originals
Pickles, Chutney & Relish
Dentitex
Mouthwash
Dentitex
Toothbrush
Dentitex
Toothpaste
Devil's Orchard
Cider
Di-San
Stain Removal & Prewash
Diplomat
Tea
Dominion
Sweets & Lollies
Earth Grown
Vegetarian & Vegan
El Tora
Mexican
Elmsbury
Frozen Pastry
Elmsbury
Pies & Pasties
Emporium Selection
Cheese
Essential Health
Bandages
Essential Health
Vitamins
Essential Health
Sports Nutrition
Essential Health
Weight Loss
Expressi
Coffee
★ some products certified Fairtrade
Farmdale
Cream
Farmdale
Milk
Farmdale
Milk Powder
Farmdale
Pudding & Custard
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
Cereal
Goldenvale
Muesli & Oats
Goliath
Foil/Cling Wrap/Bags
Grandessa
Jam
Green Action
Multi-Purpose Cleaners
Green Action
Toilet Cleaners
Green Action
Medicinal Oils
Green Action
Laundry Detergent
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
Dog Food
Julius
Dog Treats
Julius
Pet Food (chilled)
Jump
Soft Drinks
Just Organic
Tofu/Soy
★ certified organic
Just Organic
Health Foods
★ certified organic
Lacura
Deodorant
Lacura
Cotton Buds/Balls
Lacura
Cosmetics
Lacura
Skin Care
Laundrite
Laundry Detergent
Lazzio
Coffee
Lodge Farms
Eggs
Logix
Dishwashing Detergent
Lyttos
Yoghurt
Mamia
Baby Food
Mamia
Baby Formula
Mamia
Baby Wipes
Mamia
Nappies
Market Fare
Frozen Vegies/Chips
Merryfield (sucrose)
Sugar & Sweeteners
Milfina
Ice Cream
Monarc
Ice Cream
Moo Box
Flavoured Milk
Moser Roth
Chocolate
★ certified Fairtrade
Natural Blonde
Beer
Natural Elements
Dog Food
Natures Essence
Shampoo
New Season
Canned Vegies/Beans
Northbrook
Bottled Water
Northbrook
Sparkling Water
Northbrook
Soft Drinks
NRG Maxx
Milk Flavouring
Ocean Rise
Canned Fish
Ocean Rise
Canned Fish (Tuna)
Ocean Royale
Frozen Fish
Oh So Natural
Peanut/Nut Butter
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
Window & Glass Cleaners
Power Force
Bathroom Cleaners
Power Force
Floor Cleaners
Power Force
Disinfectant
Power Force
Gloves
Power Force
Multi-Purpose Cleaners
Power Force
Scourers, Sponges & Wipes
Power Force
Toilet Cleaners
Prince
Body Wash
Prince
Deodorant
Prince
Mens Grooming
Prince
Shavers
Protane
Hair Styling
Protane
Shampoo
Pure Tropics
Coconut Water
Pure Vita
Vinegar
Pure Vita
Cooking Oil
Purewick
Air Fresheners
Quick Start
Breakfast On the Go
Ram
Flavoured Milk
Regal
Soft Drinks
Remano
Pasta Sauce
Remano
Frozen Meals/Pizza
Remano
Olive Oil
Remano
Pasta
Remano
Canned Vegies/Beans
Remano
Vinegar
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
Soup
Simplee
Noodles
Simply Vegetarian
Vegetarian & Vegan
So Femme
Feminine Hygiene
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
Olive Oil
★ Australian Extra Virgin certified
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
Poultry
★ free range
World Kitchen
Ready Meals
Yippee
Ice Cream
Yoconut
Vegetarian & Vegan