Aldi UK CEO Giles Hurley has welcomed the government’s recently announced ‘Good Food Cycle’ plan, describing it as a positive step toward creating a healthier and more sustainable food system. Launched on 15 July, the government’s initiative is designed to drive a generational shift in how the nation interacts with food and includes ten priority outcomes that address urgent issues such as obesity, climate change, and food security. Central to the plan are commitments to improving the food environment, ensuring safe and affordable access to healthy options for all, and fostering sustainable growth within the food sector.

Hurley, who has been an outspoken advocate for resilient British supply chains, highlighted the importance of such frameworks to maintaining healthy, affordable food availability both now and in the future. He emphasised Aldi’s role as a major supporter of British produce and expressed eagerness to collaborate with government efforts to secure the UK’s food system.

This endorsement by Aldi's CEO stands in contrast to recent resistance from other retailers. Earlier in July, major supermarket chains like M&S and Asda criticised Labour’s proposed calorie reduction measures, underscoring divisions within the industry on how best to tackle the nation’s obesity crisis. Meanwhile, Tesco’s CEO Ken Murphy has called for government mandates requiring supermarkets to report the healthiness of their products, illustrating a growing push towards transparency on nutritional standards in the sector.

Aldi’s wider approach to sustainability complements its support for government initiatives. The company notably achieved its 2030 food waste reduction target eight years early by cutting waste by 57% since 2017. Aldi has since set an ambitious new target to reduce food waste by 90% by 2030. Collaborations with organisations such as the Company Shop Group have enabled Aldi to redistribute surplus food efficiently, donating over 40 million meals to charities since 2019—a significant contribution to social and environmental good.

The supermarket also champions British agriculture, pledging to continue sourcing all its core fresh beef, pork, and poultry from UK farms despite uncertain outcomes of international trade deals. This commitment, announced in May, affirms Aldi’s focus on maintaining stringent food safety and animal welfare standards while supporting domestic farmers, reinforcing its position as a key player in the local food economy.

Beyond sustainability, Aldi’s growth ambitions face challenges from the UK’s planning system, which Giles Hurley has criticised for causing lengthy delays in opening new stores. With a goal to expand the UK store count from about 1,050 to 1,500, Hurley warned that extended planning processes—stretching from the expected 12 weeks to up to three years—are hindering investment and job creation. He called for a streamlined and more efficient planning framework to support economic growth and meet rising consumer demand.

The retailer is also actively engaging with upcoming environmental legislation. Hurley has urged government and industry collaboration on the introduction of extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations, which require businesses to manage packaging waste costs. He cautioned that rushing these measures could exacerbate inflationary pressures on product prices and advocated for a balanced approach that ensures both sustainability and affordability.

These strategic moves reflect a broader shift in the UK grocery market shaped by evolving consumer behaviour. The cost-of-living crisis has accelerated the growth of own-label products, an area where Aldi has thrived, with its own-label sales growing at twice the rate of branded products. This trend has helped Aldi surpass Morrisons to become the country’s fourth-largest supermarket, highlighting the company’s ability to adapt to changing market dynamics while championing sustainability and national food security.