ALDI – Plans to Expand

ALDI is unquestionably a discount shopping juggernaut – and it shows no signs of slowing down. Currently a staple in capital cities on Australia’s east, including an array of ALDI Brisbane to ALDI Melbourne stores, the discount supermarket chain goes from strength to strength. 

ALDI currently has over three hundred and fifty stores located across the country; ALDI Brisbane alone has twenty stores in close proximity to the city centre. ALDI is in the process of planning a large expansion into South Australia and Western Australia. There will be new distribution centres built which will service ALDI supermarkets located in these states.

Local distribution centres are crucial for ALDI to stock fresh food product lines, as shipping fresh and perishable goods from the eastern states across the country is not a feasible option. ALDI Sydney stores have a local distribution centre, as do ALDI Brisbane and Melbourne stores. Having new centres in South Australia and Western Australia by the end of 2015 will serve these states and in turn, dozens of new stores are planned to be open during 2016. This will open up a myriad of shopping options for locals, including ALDI delivery for online liquor purchases and ALDI delivery for those who use online shopping service providers, who will now be able to add this chain to their grocery source list.

ALDI’s expansion is not limited to store locations. The chain is also going ahead with plans to cement its footprint in ski and snow gear. Annual winter sales at ALDI have been remarkably successful, with many people foregoing the expensive branded ski wear for cheaper, yet surprisingly high quality, ski and snow clothing. The chain is looking to expand into selling Australian ski lift passes, skis, snowboards, and other hardware for snowsports. The company can source high quality gear from its European parent company at low cost – so why would you not buy ski gear from ALDI?

In just a couple of years, between ALDI Brisbane and ALDI Perth, there will be close to four hundred ALDI supermarket locations across Australia. What next for this chain? Many dedicated shoppers are hoping for an ALDI delivery service – only time will tell if this will come to fruition in the future – if not, there is always the option of using a grocery service.

The ALDI Shopping Experience

ALDI Australia, a branch of the worldwide supermarket phenomenon born in Germany, is amongst Australia’s most unique grocery retailers. The experience of shopping in ALDI (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and other locations across the country) is one which is not necessarily suited to every shopper, yet those who have embraced this mode of grocery shopping absolutely love it.

Why do people love shopping at ALDI Australia-wide?

Shopping in ALDI means doing it all for yourself. You collect your own trolley, you select your own merchandise, and you pack your own order. This is the perfect solution for those of us who are endlessly frustrated by disinterested supermarket check-out staff who pack shopping bags in a haphazard way, putting leaky meat trays on top of fresh fruit, or squashing bread or eggs with heavy bottles of drink. At ALDI Australia, the buck stops with the shopper.

There is no merchandising of any kind in ALDI. Brands are simple and there are no industry marketing ploys in place to influence shoppers in any way. This supermarket chain is for the shopper who is not interested in fancy displays, browsing brands, or comparing prices; it is for the seasoned shopper who wants to get in and get out quickly and without fuss.

Groceries sourced in ALDI Australia-wide are basic and without fancy packaging. This is not the place to shop if you’re out to impress with particular brands. Here, however, is the surprise: quite a number of very brand-oriented shoppers, when it comes to clothing, accessories, and cars, proudly and loudly shop for their groceries in ALDI!

A shopping expedition to ALDI in Sydney (or anywhere else, for that matter) can be an exercise in “survival of the fittest”. Seasoned ALDI Sydney shoppers are not only cheap in that the bargain is the end-game; they are tough and proactive. Shopping in ALDI in Sydney can be almost a contact sport – especially during peak periods like the day before a Public Holiday.

So why shop at ALDI? You get cheap, basic groceries, bulk grocery items, there are no plastic bags, and you’re assured genuine savings on genuine local (Australian) products. Check out your local ALDI (Sydney, for example, has stores at Broadway, Thornleigh, Galston, Macquarie Centre, and Kellyville). You may be a covert before you know it.