Discounter Aldi has reported “satisfactory” trading over the Christmas period, closing a year in which its sales rose 12.1 per cent.

UK managing director Paul Foley said: “We have seen very satisfactory trading over the Christmas period with a huge increase in sales of expensive fine wines, champagne and Specially Selected seasonal food lines.”

He said Aldi increased its sales of British fresh turkey crowns almost four-fold over Christmas, compared with last year. It sold 60,000 bottles of champagne, 500,000 boxes of truffle chocolates and more than 50,000 lobsters.

Aldi increases sales volumes of fresh vegetables five-fold last year. In 2008, Aldi UK will open 50 stores.