Aldi Hungary's debt spikes tenfold as the chain cuts staff

Aldi's Hungarian subsidiary is confronting a sharp financial decline. Over recent years its debt has swollen to roughly ten times its original amount while its equity has fallen to about one‑fifth of the previous level. The retailer reported a loss of 9.6 billion for the 2025 fiscal year, despite generating revenue of 533.2 billion for 2024.

In response, the German parent company injected a 5 billion rescue capital, but the subsidiary has still reduced its workforce by nearly 10 percent, cutting staff from 4,882 employees in 2024 to around 4,403. The company is also simplifying its product range, scaling back non‑food items, and consolidating stores as part of a broader restructuring effort.

The situation highlights the pressures on Hungarian food retail amid tighter state tax and price policies, and raises concerns about the sector's profitability and employment outlook.