German discounter ALDI SÜD takes minority stake in Philippine grocer DALI

German discount retailer ALDI SÜD Group has acquired an undisclosed minority stake in Philippine hard-discount grocery chain DALI, backing the retailer’s continued expansion in a market where demand for lower-priced everyday essentials is growing.

The companies have not disclosed the size of the stake or other financial terms of the transaction.

Founded in 2020, DALI has grown to more than 1,300 stores across the Philippines and serves more than one million customers each day. Its format centres on a streamlined selection of high-volume FMCG products and household essentials, supported by a low-overhead store model and discounted pricing.

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The investment gives ALDI SÜD an entry point into the Philippines through a retailer already operating at national scale, while providing DALI with additional capital to expand its footprint.

“DALI already operates more than 1,300 stores and has established itself as a hard discounter which stays true to the fundamentals we at ALDI SÜD believe in: a focused product range and efficient business processes,” said ALDI SÜD Group chief financial officer Marcus Almeling in a LinkedIn post.

Despite the investment, DALI will remain independently managed by its local team, which will retain full operational responsibility for the business in the Philippines.

DALI said the funding will support further expansion into barangays and provinces, including underserved communities. Its growth to date has generated nearly 10,000 jobs across stores, distribution centres and support offices, while the retailer has developed relationships with hundreds of local suppliers, including farmers, manufacturers and other Philippine producers.

For ALDI SÜD, the transaction extends a hard-discount model it has operated for more than a century. The group runs more than 7,500 stores across 11 countries, with its international footprint built around operational efficiency, limited product ranges and consistently low prices.

The investment also signals the German retailer’s interest in the potential for the hard-discount format to scale in Southeast Asian markets.

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