Aldi’s eco store in Leamington Spa offers a sustainable alternative to conventional grocery stores – from the products on shelves to the building itself, which was built out of low-carbon and recycled materials, reducing energy demand by 57% compared to typical stores. The supermarket features EV charging stations, collection points for difficult-to-recycle materials, and refill fixtures, all in a bid to help shoppers live more sustainably while setting an example for the industry. “Many of the changes made to this store, whether it be the energy saving initiatives or our latest packaging-free trial, could allow us to put even more money back into the pockets of our customers,” says Giles Hurley, the CEO of Aldi UK and Ireland.

Following up on its plan to eliminate plastic packaging, Aldi is catering to the growing number of Britons who want to make sustainable choices despite the cost of living crisis. Yet while 77% of Britons say they want to reduce waste in their shopping habits, 50% say they wouldn't pay higher prices for greener grocery staples, like bread and milk. Shoppers are looking for brands to advocate for the environment as well as their customers during tough times, with 29% of Britons saying it’s up to supermarkets to create more sustainable models. To this end, Asda has promised to make unwrapped alternatives cheaper than packaged items, while in the US, The Realm Refillery offers packaging-free groceries for the eco-minded.