Moment in the sun

Aldi is on a roll. In the UK, the Financial Times reports that the discount chain's market chain is on the rise, much to the chagrin of Tesco and Sainsbury. From FT:

Data compiled by TNS Wordpanel showed spending in the grocery sector as a whole rose in the 12 weeks to July 15, and the discounters' share had reached a new record. Consumers spent a fifth more at Aldi and a seventh more at its peer, Lidl.
Tony Baines, managing director of buying at Aldi, recognised the German-owned chain had benefited from the rising economic malaise, but argued it would retain the new customers.

TK: Though I haven't seen the numbers, I would assume Aldi is making a similar surge in the U.S. It is not so much that Aldi will retain its customers, it is that the tough economic times will "retain" all of us.