ALDI ON ITS WAY – GREAT FOR ASPIRE
ALDI: GREAT NEWS FOR OUR CURRENT AND FUTURE ASPIRE RESIDENTS…
As reported by the Gawler Bunyip on the 29th April:
DISCOUNT supermarket chain Aldi has unveiled plans to set up shop in Evanston Park after acquiring a site near the Gawler Green Shopping Centre. It forms part of the German supermarket’s long-term plan to develop more then 50 stores around the state, including one at Blakeview.
Aldi has already lodged 16 development applications for stores in South Australia and intends to submit an application to build on the corner of Main North Road and Tulloch Street in June.
The company estimates each store will generate between 15 to 20 jobs.
Gawler Council chief executive Henry Inat said council welcomed investment of this nature in the town.
“It provides an opportunity for some retail diversity and greater options for both Gawler residents and the region,” he said.
“The positive consequences in terms of local employment at a time of the Holden closure and other economic challenges is welcomed.
“However, the uniqueness of that particular site in respect to its zoning, traffic management, car parking and interface with the joining residential properties will need to be carefully considered when determining the merits of the site.”
The supermarket chain is hoping to invest around $300 million in the state over coming years, citing more than $121 million of grocery sales from South Australian suppliers and more than $20 million of fresh fruit and vegetable sales sourced from South Australian growers.
Aldi South Australia managing director Viktor Jakupec said the supermarket already had strong relationships with South Australian suppliers and expected the chain’s expansion to create more demand and result in further partnerships with state-based suppliers.
In a statement, the company said it offered customers high-quality products at permanently low prices.
Gawler Business Development Group marketing officer Sigrid Murljacic said Aldi would bring more variety to shoppers and a competition to the marketplace.
“I think they are very different to what we’re used to in South Australia,”she said.
“They will add a different element of competition and, I think, that’s healthy.”
She believed the store would also attract shoppers from outside the immediate local area into Gawler, “which, I think, is a plus”.
Gawler West mum Carley Clements also welcomed the proposed development.
“It will be good for competition,” she said.
If successful in its development application, Aldi will become neighbours with Bunnings Warehouse, with construction on the hardware store expected to start next month.
