Who owns Aldi? All info

Have you ever asked yourself “Who actually owns Aldi?”. The beginnings of the company go back to the beginning of the 20th century. But it wasn’t until after the Second World War that two brothers built it up into a discount empire.

Who owns Aldi? 100 per cent by the Albrecht family

The Aldi founders are the brothers Karl Hans and Theodor Paul Albrecht. Over the decades, the former bakery has become a real supermarket empire.

• During their lifetime, Karl and Theo Albrecht were long considered the richest people in Germany. Karl Albrecht died in 2014 at the age of 94, his younger brother Theo passed away a few years earlier at 88.

• Still today, the discounter Aldi is wholly owned by family foundations. Aldi Süd is 100 per cent owned by the Siepmann Foundation. Among the important beneficiaries are family members of Beate Heister, the daughter of Karl Albrecht.

• Aldi Nord is owned by three family foundations. These include the Markus Foundation, the Lukas Foundation and the Jakobus Foundation. Beneficiaries of these foundations include Theo Albrecht Junior, Theo Albrecht’s eldest son, as well as Albrecht Junior’s wife Cäcilie Albrecht and daughter-in-law Babette Albrecht.

In the 1960s, the company split into Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd

One of the greatest success stories in German entrepreneurship started with a bakery. In 1913, Karl Albrecht Senior founded a bakery in Essen. His wife Anna opened a small corner shop right next door. But it was his two sons Karl and Theo who turned the small business into a flourishing supermarket chain.

• After the Second World War, the brothers joined their parents’ business and founded Albrecht KG. Only a few years later, the two businessmen already owned over 30 branches.

• By 1960, Karl and Theo Albrecht already operated over 300 shops. In 1961, the brothers split the business. Karl Albrecht took over Aldi Süd and Theo Albrecht dedicated himself to Aldi Nord.

• Still today, Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd are among the most successful supermarkets, even if Aldi Süd is always a bit ahead of its counterpart in the north – especially when it comes to modernising the shops and the concept.