Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at ALDI

Fostering a Culture of Inclusivity for All Employees and Customers

Every day, we celebrate our employees and customers who come from different backgrounds and have different experiences. We want everyone that walks through our doors to feel welcome. To do that, we must build on our guiding principles of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) and continue to do our part to create lasting change in our communities.

One of our core values at ALDI is responsibility. To demonstrate that we live this value, we must invest in understanding the ways in which our society is not fair or open to all our customers and our colleagues. And where we see unfairness in our stores, teams or communities, we have a responsibility to address it.  And we are taking action to do that.

 

Equality. Respect. Responsibility.

At ALDI, we believe understanding, respecting and valuing the uniqueness of our customers, employees and partners makes us stronger. That’s why we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that values diversity in all forms across our business.

As part of this commitment, we’ve updated our anti-harassment policy: “Equality. Respect. Responsibility.” This policy reinforces our assurance that all ALDI stores, warehouses and offices are inclusive and respectful for everyone. This discrimination and harassment policy applies to our customers, employees, suppliers and all third-party partners.

To make it clear that we absolutely do not tolerate harassment, discrimination or mistreatment of our people, and that we condemn it in all forms, the following signage is visible at the entryway of all of our store, warehouse and office locations:

 

Equality. Respect. Responsibility. We are committed to inclusion and do not tolerate discrimination, harassment or racism.

Corporate Giving

Building on our longstanding commitment to serving our communities, ALDI is expanding our corporate giving efforts to include national and local organizations that support racial equality and promote justice.

We will continue supporting communities of color across the country and are exploring ways to make an additional impact.

As part of our commitment, we’ve created a new $5.5 million DE&I Philanthropic Fund to benefit national and local organizations that support racial equality and promote justice. This fund allows us to expand our partnerships over the course of several years to more intentionally demonstrate our resolve. Over the course of the next five years, ALDI will donate $1 million per year to national organizations and $100,000 per year to Chicago-area organizations, where we are headquartered. The first $1 million of the national funds has been donated to the National Urban League, and the first $100,000 of the local funds has been donated to Chicago-based nonprofit My Block, My Hood, My City (M3). 

“We are proud to welcome ALDI as a partner in our ongoing effort to ensure every American child is ready for college, work and life through our signature Education & Youth Development program, Project Ready. ALDI funding allows us to continue to work towards racial equity and change by providing Black and other historically underserved youth a range of support services and opportunities to prepare them for post-secondary academic success and help them develop into well rounded, productive and responsible adults.” - National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial

"It’s refreshing when companies such as ALDI reach out to us and want to establish a true partnership beyond just a monetary contribution. It’s clear that ALDI is committed to making real change in the communities they serve and we are hopeful others will be inspired to step up as well.” - Jahmal Cole, Founder of My Block, My Hood, My City

My Block My Hood My City Logo and National Urban League Logo

Unconscious Bias Training

Diversity and inclusion have always been guiding principles at ALDI. Following the events of 2020, we realized we must do more in order to commit to lasting change. 

As part of our commitment to being a diverse and inclusive place to work and shop, we have implemented company-wide unconscious bias training for all ALDI employees, which began this year and will be completed in 2022.

 

Employee Recruitment and Retention Initiatives

ALDI is also seeking an employee base that better represents the communities we serve, which means retaining a more diverse population of candidates at all levels of the company.

From volunteering with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to establishing partnerships with Black colleges and universities, ALDI is confronting systemic inequalities so that all applicants, employees and customers can feel welcome.


Diversity, equity and inclusion is an extremely high priority for our company. We will continue to provide updates as our plans develop and are put into action.