Economy

The first ALDI store in Belgium opened its doors on February 26, 1976, in Geel, Antwerp province. Today, fifty years later, the German discount supermarket chain is celebrating a milestone that has fundamentally reshaped the Belgian retail landscape.

What began with a modest selection of approximately 450 products has grown into a network of 445 stores across the country, making ALDI the largest retailer in Belgium under a single brand. The initial store, located on De Billemontstraat 45, represented a novel approach to grocery shopping for Belgian consumers, characterized by low prices and a focus on house brands.

ALDI’s impact extends beyond its sheer size. The company is credited with popularizing private-label brands in Belgium, now accounting for 90 percent of its product range and representing approximately 42 percent of the entire Belgian retail market. This positions Belgium as a leader in Europe regarding the prevalence of house brands.

The success of ALDI in Belgium has not gone unnoticed. The company currently employs over 8,500 people within the country and continues to invest in expansion, demonstrating its commitment to the Belgian market. According to ALDI, more than 91,000 employees across Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Spain contribute to the company’s success by ensuring affordable and accessible shopping experiences.

The arrival of ALDI in 1976 was described as a “small revolution” in the Belgian supermarket sector. Initially, shoppers may have been hesitant to be seen frequenting a discount store, but the appeal of lower prices proved irresistible. The chain has maintained its reputation as a price leader even as competition has intensified and inflation has driven up food costs.

The company’s growth from a single corner shop to the largest retailer in the country has been steady. Whereas ABBA dominated the music charts in 1976, ALDI quietly began to transform the way Belgians shopped for groceries.

KATSEYE member Manon Bannerman is stepping back from group activities to prioritize her health, the group announced on Wednesday, February 19, 2026. The decision follows months of speculation among fans regarding Bannerman’s absences from scheduled appearances and performances.

In a statement posted to social media, KATSEYE said Bannerman “will be taking a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her health and wellbeing.” The group affirmed its support for Bannerman’s decision and expressed optimism for a future reunion “when the time is right.” KATSEYE also assured fans that scheduled events would continue as planned during Bannerman’s absence.

Concerns about Bannerman’s health surfaced publicly in September 2025, when she did not appear at a surprise performance with Laufey, as reported by Koreaboo. Prior to that, fans had noted a pattern of Bannerman missing scheduled commitments.

Bannerman previously disclosed a health scare during a live broadcast in August 2025, revealing she had fainted in Japan after arriving in Tokyo. She explained that her condition worsened upon arrival and she lost consciousness at the airport while listening to music, requiring assistance and a wheelchair escort.

KATSEYE, comprised of Sophia Laforteza, Manon Bannerman, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, and Yoonchae Jeung, gained prominence through the Netflix competition series Pop Star Academy and the subsequent docuseries Popstar Academy: Katseye. The group has achieved success with songs including “Gnarly” and “Gabriela,” and recently received Grammy nominations for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best New Artist at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.

The announcement of Bannerman’s hiatus echoes similar decisions made by other prominent figures, such as Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles, who have prioritized their mental health by taking breaks from competition.

KATSEYE has not specified a timeline for Bannerman’s return, and the group has not commented on the specific nature of her health concerns.

A Quebec man accused of sexually exploiting children has been awarded $5,000 in damages after a law firm rescinded a job offer upon learning of the criminal charges against him. The ruling, handed down February 2 by the Quebec Human Rights Tribunal and revealed this week by Droit-inc, found that Antoine Absi experienced prohibited discrimination during the hiring process.

Absi, a law student since 2020, faces eight serious charges dating back to October 2022, including luring a minor, inciting a minor to engage in sexual activity, and producing child pornography – now referred to as “material of sexual abuse and exploitation of children.” Despite the pending charges, Absi applied for a position as a legal services sales agent at the firm Néolégal in May 2023. He was initially offered the position, contingent on a background check.

According to the tribunal’s decision, Absi proactively disclosed his “background” related to the juvenile pornography charges to his prospective employer. Néolégal immediately terminated the hiring process, deeming the accusation “too sensitive.” The tribunal ruled that this action constituted discrimination under Article 18.2 of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, which prohibits refusing employment solely based on a criminal conviction unrelated to the job.

Judge Sophie Lapierre stated that Absi was the victim of prohibited discrimination, according to the ruling. The case highlights a complex intersection of legal principles, balancing the rights of an accused individual with the concerns of an employer regarding reputational risk and workplace safety.

The decision comes amid increased scrutiny of online predators and efforts to protect children from sexual exploitation. In December 2025, Le Journal de Montréal reported on the pending 18 new charges against a 37-year-vintage repeat cyber predator arrested the previous summer. Around the same time, Le Journal de Québec published a list of 15 individuals identified as particularly dangerous online predators operating since the early 2000s. Earlier this month, on February 12, 2026, another cyber predator was sentenced to 5000$ after luring 12 and 13 year old boys. Experts at Radio-Canada have emphasized the importance of parents engaging in open conversations with their children about online safety and potential risks, noting that abuse often occurs within familiar settings.

The ruling does not address the merits of the criminal charges against Absi, only the legality of the employment decision made in light of those charges. Néolégal has not publicly commented on the tribunal’s decision or indicated whether it intends to appeal.