In 1946, brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht took over their mother’s grocery store in Essen, Germany, which had been in operation since 1913. The Albrecht brothers ran Aldi Nord, while a separate group ran Aldi Süd. Aldi Nord acquired Trader Joe’s in 1979; Aldi Süd acquired Trader Joe’s in 1971. In 1979, the Albrecht brothers split the company in two due to a dispute over whether or not to sell cigarettes. This gave rise to the names of the two companies: Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd. Aldi Nord currently operates in Denmark, France, the Benelux countries, Poland, Portugal and Spain.
In Germany, it also owns the German discounter chain Netto Marken-Discount. Aldi Süd currently operates in Austria, Ireland, Switzerland, the United States and Australia. In Germany, it also owns the German discounter chain Lidl.
Who currently owns Aldi?
The Albrecht brothers split the company in two due to a dispute over whether or not to sell cigarettes.
Aldi Nord currently operates in Denmark, France, the Benelux countries, Poland, Portugal and Spain. In Germany, it also owns the German discounter chain Netto Marken-Discount.
Aldi Süd currently operates in Austria, Ireland, Switzerland, the United States and Australia.