Aldi sets up shop in South Australia

Aldi has opened the doors to its first stores in South Australia at Parafield Gardens, Hallett Cove, Seaford Heights and Woodcroft.

The stores are the first of up to 50 slated by the discount supermarket chain for the South Australian market in the coming years. Its next stores will open in March at Kilburn, Modbury, Noarlunga, Mount Barker and St Agnes, with a total of 16 stores expected to be open by the end of 2016.

Aldi first made public its plans to open in South Australia and Western Australia in 2014, announcing a $700 million investment for the expansion which will see two warehouse distribution centres and up to 120 stores open across both states.

According to Ibisworld, Aldi now holds around 8.1 per cent of the $88 billion local grocery market since first launching in Australia in 2001. Aldi’s industry related revenue in Australia is anticipated to grow at an annualised 17.4 per cent over the five years through December 2015.

South Australia’s first stores were opened on Wednesday and are under Aldi’s new look format which is currently being trialed on the eastern seaboard.

To support its statewide expansion, Aldi has signed contracts with 12 new South Australian produce suppliers and hired 250 employees for store manager, retail assistant and distribution centre roles.

Aldi’s new format features a number of new upgrades, including redesigned shelving an expanded wooden produce bays, energy efficient LED lighting and chillers. Each store also featurse a sleek new fitout with updated signage and point of sale displays.

Aldi is currently recruiting for positions in Western Australia, with this debut set for later this year. Confirmed locations of interest include Cannington, Southern River, Halls Head, Kwinana, Rockingham, Harrisdale, Australind, South Lake, Joondalup, Butler, Camillo, Mundaring, Mandurah and Ellenbrook.