A German business news magazine reported that Aldi Sud and Aldi Nord are holding secret merger talks. It’s been 65 years since Aldi founders Karl and Theo Albrecht split the German company into two entities (supposedly over a disagreement about whether to sell cigarettes).
Since the split, Aldi Sud has operated Aldi stores in the United States, portions of Europe and beyond. Aldi Nord operates Aldi stores in portions of Europe and owns the Trader Joe’s banner in the U.S. Together the grocers operate over 13,000 stores worldwide.
Unnamed sources in the German magazine said the negotiations entail combing the two businesses under a joint holding company and dividing shares between the families’ trusts.
