ALDI HOFER

In 1913, Anna Albrecht opened a small grocery store in Essen, Germany, unknowingly setting the foundation for what would become one of the world's most successful retail chains. Her sons, Karl and Theo, took over the family business and faced the challenges of the Great Depression with innovative thinking - acquiring a liquor license, letting customers buy on credit, and introducing liquid soap that didn't require rationing coupons. These strategies sent turnover soaring and established a loyal customer base. In 1954, they made history by opening Germany's first self-service store in Essen-Schonnebeck, revolutionizing retail operations.

By 1960, the brothers owned 300 stores and made the strategic decision to split operations into ALDI NORD and ALDI SÜD, creating two independent but family-linked entities. The name 'ALDI' emerged from this period - short for Albrecht Discount. In 1961, they launched the world's first discount grocery store concept, focusing on simplicity, consistency, and responsibility. This model proved extraordinarily successful, enabling rapid international expansion. Today, ALDI SÜD operates over 7,000 stores across 11 countries including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and China, employing more than 180,000 people. The company's core values remain unchanged: offering great quality products at the best possible price through efficient processes and a carefully selected own-brand range. Their decentralized approach allows them to tailor offerings to local markets while maintaining the discount principles that made them an industry leader.