German discount supermarket chain Aldi is planning to start online sales in China this month, hoping to appeal to Chinese consumers with a selection of wine, snack and breakfast products.

The company will sell its own brand products via online platform Tmall Global, operated by Alibaba, and will use its Australian suppliers to serve the Chinese market, it said in a statement on Thursday.

An initial "soft launch" on March 20, which typically sees a product offered to a limited audience, will be followed by a full launch event in Shanghai on April 25, Aldi said. It's speculated stores will also be launched.

One person with knowledge of Aldi's China operation said Aldi was moving "slowly and sensibly" on China, increasing orders only slightly for the six months to August.