The IGD said in a statement this week: “2 Sisters has made significant progress to develop a more collaborative relationship with Aldi and Lidl.
“The companies have worked on a number of supply chain projects, helping to drive efficiency and improve capability, marking a collaborative change in the relationship.”
‘Branded and private label products’
The think tank has previously described 2 Sisters as a “huge supplier” of branded and private label products to the growing discount sector.
Aldi and Lidl have shaken up Britain’s supermarket sector and took a 10% share of the market for the first time in November, according to Kantar Worldpanel.
Kantar Worldpanel noted that the discounters showed “no sign of stopping” amid plans to open hundreds more stores and widen their online reach.
10% market share
At the time, 2 Sisters posted on Twitter: “Great news for our customers Aldi and Lidl on 10% market share!”
2 Sisters’ other key customers include Asda, Co-op, KFC, Marks & Spencer, Morrison's, Sainsbury, Tesco and Waitrose.
The latest comments from the IGD came after 2 Sisters announced plans to reopen the former S&A Foods site in Derby, creating about 200 jobs.
2 Sisters bought the site after Asian ready meals specialist S&A Foods went into administration and made all its 300 staff redundant last year.
The first phase of production is due to restart in March, while factory is set to produce a range of meals including kebabs, ready-to-cook chicken and ready-to-eat chicken.
View from IGD
“2 Sisters has made significant progress to develop a more collaborative relationship with Aldi and Lidl.”
- Statement, IGD