Aldi’s $450 million expansion into Western Australia is gathering steam, with the German supermarket giant starting the recruitment process for 400 new staff, and construction under way at 11 of its 22 confirmed locations.
The first WA stores are expected to open midway through next year, following completion of Aldi's Jandakot distribution centre, which is on track to be complete by the end of April.
Aldi today announced applications were open for store manager and assistant store manager positions, while recruitment for other roles will begin in early December.
Aldi WA managing director Viktor Jakupec said new employees would undergo extensive training to learn the supermarket chain’s processes, while management-level positions would receive in-store training at locations in the eastern states.
“Our commitment to the personal development of Aldi employees starts from day one,” he said.
“Aldi’s training program sets our employees up for career success.
“We’ve enjoyed seeing our staff grow alongside our business and independent employee surveys have consistently shown high levels of job satisfaction.”
At the same time, construction work has begun on Aldi stores across the metropolitan area, with supermarkets under way in Mundaring, Wattle Grove, Kwinana, Rockingham, Southern River, Halls Head, Australind, Mirrabooka, Belmont, South Lake and Camillo.
Other locations confirmed to be in Aldi’s rollout include Nedlands, Lakelands, Mandurah, Cannington, Haynes, Lakeside Joondalup, Midland, Ellenbrook, Busselton, Maddington, Secret Harbour and Waikiki.
Aldi's overall plan is to open 70 stores in WA over the next few years.
At Wattle Grove, developer Devwest Group said construction had begun on the Wattle Grove Shopping Centre, to be anchored by a 1,550 square metre Aldi, earlier this month.
The centre will also include a medical centre and 12 specialty stores, as well as a fitness centre and a child care facililty.
Devwest expects it to be complete by the third quarter of next year.
Devwest chief executive Tony Hatt said the group would retain ownership of the centre once it was completed, while leasing enquiry had been strong.
Aldi has signed up for a 10-year lease, with options to extend.
Mr Hatt also said Devwest was in discussions with Aldi regarding other potential development opportunities in Perth.
The start at Wattle Grove followed construction firm Jaxon’s announcement late last month that it had become one of the first to start building an Aldi store, with work starting at Kwinana.
Jaxon general manager of business development, Mark Kepplinger, said the construction company was now well-placed to pick up additional work as Aldi’s expansion continued.
“In winning this first contract, Jaxon has demonstrated to Aldi and the rest of the market that it can compete on retail projects of this size,” he said.
“The move into construction for the retail sector also fits with the diversification strategy that the company has been pursuing over the past year or so.”
The 1,140sqm Kwinana Aldi will be located on the corner of Chisham and Meares avenues.
