An online Aldi apothecary soon?

There have been rumours going around for months that food discounter Aldi wants to sell medicine through a shipping pharmacy in Heerlen, The Netherlands. Aldi Süd and Aldi Nord haven't yet reacted to requests for information. The German magazine 'Manager Magazin' recently reported that Aldi's plans appear to be quite far along: "The plans for an internet apothecary are quite a way on. The internet apothecary will probably even go online soon", said the magazine in an extensive report on Aldi's company strategy.

Last October there were rumours that Aldi wanted to compete with other shipping apothecaries such as DocMorris and Vitalsana Personal. It is suspected that Aldi has hired the business space need at an industrial estate in Heerlen. Aldi has not yet confirmed the plans.

Whether Aldi will actually realise the plans for an internet apothecary, remains the question. Right now Aldi customers can only book journeys, order photo's and send flowers through Aldi's website. It also seems that Aldi founder Karl Albrecht isn't very open to the idea of extending the online assortment, because he fears the stationary trade will be cannibalised by it.