Aldi chief warns higher costs could hit customers

THE boss of Aldi has urged the UK Government to avoid hiking costs for retailers in the autumn Budget because of the risk they can “find their way” on to supermarket shelves.

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Giles Hurley, the chain's UK and Ireland chief executive, said inflationary pressures affecting shoppers were “persistent and urgent”.

Looking ahead to the Budget, he said the retail industry “has been really clear that we would strongly advise that any policies and measures that are adopted don’t add costs to business operations because of the risk that they can find their way through to the food sector”.

He added that the “ripple effect” could affect consumer confidence.

It comes after many large retailers have blamed rising costs mainly employer national insurance contributions and new packaging taxes for helping worsen food inflation in the UK.