Aldi sign

German discount retailer Aldi has recorded a record yearly profit of over A$70m for the year ended 31 December 2008, according to local press reports.

Documents obtained by the Business Daily publication showed that profit for the 12-month period hit A$72.6m, on total Australian assets of A$1.85bn.

''We have strong expansion plans for Australia and we are growing by at least 25 new stores a year along the east coast of Australia,'' said a spokeswoman for the group. “In addition, we will be opening two new warehouse and distribution centres, at A$150m each, to support our growth.'

The group entered the Australian market in 2001, and now boast over 200 stores in the country, with plans afoot to increase this to around 700 outlets.