Aldi sign

Aldi UK will enter the e-commerce market for the first time next year.

It will start with the launch of online sales for wine, before moving into other non-food offers.

Customers will be served by home delivery and collection from third party locations.

The news comes as the UK’s largest discounter said group sales rose by 31 per cent to £6.9 billion in the 12 months to 31 December 2014, up fro, £5.27m.

Operating profits fell from £260.3m to £271.4m after increased investments 'in prices and people'. The company also said it is on track to open 65 new stores this year.

Aldi chief executive Matthew Barnes said: 'As the grocery market continues to evolve, our unique model, operational efficiency, private ownership and financial strength mean we're able to keep investing in our business - from people and presence to products and prices.

“Our launch online is another exciting chapter in our story. This will enable us to introduce the Aldi brand and some of our best-selling, best-quality and best-value products to thousands more customers across the UK.'

Aldi said it now sources 69 per cent of its products from British suppliers, including 100 per cent of its milk and its entire core range of fresh meat and fresh bakery goods.

Barnes added: “The past 25 years has been an incredible journey for Aldi in the UK. During that time, the grocery market has changed beyond recognition – and changed for the better. At present, there are still 47 per cent of households that don’t shop with us. We’re hugely excited about the enormous scope for growth over the next 25 years.”

The latest grocery share figures from Kantar Worldpanel (12 weeks to 13 September) show that Aldi increased sales by 17.3 per cent – making it the UK’s fastest-growing grocery retailer for the past 50 months – and achieved its highest-ever market share of 5.6 per cent.

Analyst at financial services firm Finspreads, Fiona Cincotta, said: 'Aldi has already stepped up the pressure on the big UK supermarkets resulting in price wars and a tough trading environment for competition, as it continues to cut prices to maintain or increase its discount to rivals.

'However, the move into e-commerce is set to step up the pressure even further, with a very realistic possibility that it will eat into the market share of the big four who will be forced to defend their position.'