Aldi today reported its profits had fallen for the third year in a row despite its usual tale of rising revenues.

Operating profit dived 17% despite sales and market share doubling in just four years, which the discounter attributed to its focus on investment.

It comes as the recoveries of two members of the big four – Morrisons and Tesco – gather pace and the grocery market comes under severe pressure from inflation.

Many would conserve their cash in that market. Instead, the discounter is experimenting, ploughing money into its fresh food format in a bid to differentiate itself. 

And it’s not the only retailer doing things differently: Harvey Nichols has axed its chief executive role while Debenhams has snapped up beauty services provider Blow.

Quote of the day

“The step is a strategic move which ties into multiple facets of our Debenhams Redesigned strategy. Debenhams can adopt an entrepreneurial approach to a growing market, acquiring external expertise with flexibility and low overhead commitments”

– Debenhams chief executive Sergio Bucher on the rationale behind its acquisition of a stake in Blow

Today in numbers

31%

The fall in Wyevale Garden Centre’s full-year EBITDA.

Two

The number of co-chief operating officers at Harvey Nichols.

Tomorrow’s agenda

MySale reports its full-years while Card Factory reports its interims.

Becky Waller-Davies, reporter