It has been in the works for a while now, and today South Australians got their first taste of ALDI as the supermarket chain opened four of its stores; Parafield Gardens, Hallett Cove, Seaford Heights and Woodcroft.
Each store will adopt ALDI’s new-look format which is currently being trialed on the eastern seaboard, bringing innovations to the shopping experience for South Australian customers.
“After many years of planning and working with the community, we are delighted to officially open for business in South Australia,” said Viktor Jakupec, ALDI Managing Director – South Australia.
“There is a strong appetite among South Australians for an alternative place to shop and we are eager to show them the significant benefits that can come from shopping at ALDI, both for their wallets and lifestyles.”
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. With its long-term investment in the state, we will see a total of 900 new permanent jobs at ALDI.
Today’s store openings form part of ALDI’s long-term expansion plans, which will see up to 50 stores developed across South Australia in the coming years, providing increased grocery options and employment opportunities for local residents. 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.
Premier Jay Weatherill today welcomed ALDI to South Australia at the launch of the State’s first four stores.
“We welcome the opening of the first four of 50 planned new ALDI stores in South Australia – which is a massive vote of confidence in our State’s growing retail sector,” Mr Weatherill said.
The fresh store format will feature a number of new upgrades, including redesigned shelving and expanded wooden produce bays, energy efficient LED lighting and chillers. Each store will feature a sleek new fit-out with updated signage and point of sale displays.
South Australian suppliers will be pleased too. Although ALDI already sold approximately $160 million worth of grocery products from South Australian businesses in 2015, they will strive to expand that number as more stores open.
Glam hit the official opening at the Parafield Gardens store, so here is your first look inside one of Adelaide’s first ALDI stores…
Photos by Josh Geelen.