Lidl is reportedly considering taking legal action over what it says are 'factual inaccuracies which have been blatantly mis-communicated' in a recent pricing survey of own-brand products commissioned by Aldi and published last week.
In the survey carried out by retail analysts at Grant Thorton, it indicated a 'wafer-thin margin of less than 1%' between the German retailers, which appears to be in Aldis favour.
However, a Lidl spokeswoman dismissed the survey for having 'numerous discrepancies' and said that by its own calculations, it was the cheapest supermarket in Ireland, reports the Irish Times.
The Lidl spokeswoman pointed out that in the apple category, the Aldi survey listed €1.49 as a weighted comparison for Lidl’s Oakland Red Apple Tray in Dublin and Galway while in Limerick and Cork, the survey used the price of Lidl’s Pink Lady Apples which cost €2.99.
She also highlighted two differed strawberry jams priced in Lidl, one which cost €0.90 and another “premium conserve” which was put at €1.93 as well as two differed prices for its bacon.
“When the three errors listed above are amended and the correct products and prices are compared, Lidl’s total basket price should be €64.04 which is a full €1 cheaper than Aldi,” she said. “Lidl is currently looking into legal options around the factual inaccuracies which have been blatantly miscommunicated by Grant Thornton and Aldi.”
© 2018 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
