CHANNEL 4 AND ALDI PARTNER ON RELAUNCHED SERIES OF THE NEXT BIG SELLER, ANITA RANI RETURNS TO HOST

Channel 4 and Aldi have announced the return of a hit series, relaunched as ‘Aldi: The Next Big Seller.’ Produced by South Shore, the series will see British food and drink suppliers compete for the ultimate prize — a spot on the shelves of over 1,080 Aldi stores nationwide.

The 7 x 60’ Branded entertainment series builds on the success of ‘Aldi’s Next Big Thing’ which concluded its second series in April 2024. The new iteration promises even more opportunities including a dedicated Christmas Special.  

Returning judges Anita Rani and Aldi’s Chief Commercial Officer Julie Ashfield will be joined by new addition, farmer and TV presenter Jimmy Doherty, as they guide and challenge suppliers through the pitching process. 

Previous series saw winning products such as Flake Bake’s Jamaican Patties and Fabulous Catch Company’s Crabulous Crabcakes sell out within days of their episodes airing, demonstrating the power of the show.

This latest Channel 4 commission will be produced out of South Shore’s Cardiff office where more than 100 jobs have been created over the past 12 months. 

Head of South Shore Wales Sam Grace is Executive Producer. The series is commissioned by Channel 4’s Simon Lee.

Channel 4’s Simon Lee said: “We’re thrilled to bring back this much-loved format with an exciting new twist. Aldi: The Next Big Seller champions British food and drink innovation and gives suppliers a unique opportunity to see their products on shelves nationwide. With Jimmy joining Anita and Julie on the judging panel, viewers can expect passion, expertise and plenty of surprises along the way.”

Jimmy Doherty said: “I’m delighted to be joining Aldi: The Next Big Seller alongside Anita and Julie. As a food producer and restaurateur, I know first-hand how hard it is to turn a great product into a sustainable business. I’ve spent years doing the hard graft, including attending six farmers’ markets a week. This series gives brilliant British producers a genuine opportunity to scale up, reach new customers and take that crucial step from pitch to shelf, and I can’t wait to be part of their journey.”

Anita Rani said: "I can’t wait to get back in Aldi HQ with Julie (my hero) and Jimmy. It’s always a joy to meet passionate foodies from across Britain who want to take their small businesses to the next level and the supermarket is a huge opportunity. The stakes are high, the pressure is always on but the love of what they do shines through. As someone who grew up in a family run business, I have seen first-hand what it takes. I’m already emotional! Plus, I get to try some very tasty treats.”

Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to relaunch this series and showcase the creativity and innovation of British food and drink producers. Suppliers are given an opportunity to reach millions of customers and see their products on store shelves nationwide which can be truly life changing. We are proud to support these suppliers and look forward to discovering the next round of amazing products.”

Sam Grace said: “This is a really exciting time for South Shore Wales.  We’re thrilled that another great format will be produced out of our Cardiff office, offering our incredible Welsh team the opportunity to showcase our network credentials.  We’re delighted to be working again with Julie and the amazing team at Aldi and highlight the wonderful range of suppliers competing to showcase their products on Aldi’s shelves.”

More details will be announced in due course.