Analysts: Aldi could become number 2 in 2020

An analysis by a German research firm predicts discounter Aldi may be Europe’s second largest supermarket company by 2020, as it would overtake major companies like Carrefour, Tesco and Metro.

Surge thanks to online retailers

The research firm, LZ Retailytics, say that traditional chains will continue to feel increased pressure from discounters Aldi and Lidl’s evolution and the surge in online services like Amazon Fresh.

Aldi only ranked fifth in Europe last year, but LZ Retailytics says it will surpass Tesco this year, considering how the latter faces the consequences of the Brexit and the weaker pound. Aldi will then surpass Metro Group in 2019, but that could happen even sooner, as that group splits into two companies.

Carrefour is currently second on the list, but should fall victim to Aldi in 2020. The German discounter will not steal away first position anytime soon though, because Schwarz Group (Kaufland and Lidl’s parent company) is by far the largest.

Discounters still have plenty of room for growth in Belgium, according to the Boston Consulting Group. Currently, both discounters have a 23 % market share, but they have (a lot) more than 40 % in other European countries, clearly showing that they could perform even better in Belgium.