Shoppers flock to first Aldi supermarkets

Aldi has opened its first four Perth stores to much fanfare across the city, ending a three-year-plus wait for the German supermarket chain to touch down in Western Australia.

Premier Colin Barnett was on hand with Aldi executives this morning, officially opening a standalone Aldi store at Kwinana Marketplace.

Also opening today were Aldi supermarkets at Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City, Belmont Forum Shopping Centre and Mirrabooka Square Shopping Centre.

The supermarkets are the first of around 70 stores Aldi is keen to open in the next few years in Perth, with its westward expansion totalling $700 million.

A further 20 stores are expected to open before the end of the year, with the next 10 being at Halls Head, Australind, Harrisdale, Rockingham, Camillo, Southern River, Mandurah, Butler, Mundaring and South Lake.

Aldi first announced its intentions to expand to WA in early 2013, having operated in other Australian states since 2001.

A new-look format is being rolled out for WA's Aldi stores, while featuring the same range of low-price groceries as its east coast stores.

Aldi WA managing director Damien Scheidel said customer feedback in the eastern states had shaped the store formats.

“While our customers can expect an enhanced shopping experience, the changes won’t impact our prices,” he said.

Mr Scheidel said partnership agreements had been signed with 27 WA-based produce suppliers to ensure customers received the freshest possible produce.

Mr Barnett said Aldi was a welcome addition to the state’s retail sector.

“They will provide job opportunities and a wide variety of fresh local produce,” he said.

“I look forward to shopping there soon.”

With today’s opening, the Lendlease-owned Lakeside Joondalup becomes the only shopping centre in the city with all four major supermarkets – Woolworths, Coles, Aldi and IGA – under the one roof.

Lendlease head of retail Gary Horwitz said giving shoppers variety was a clear strategy at Joondalup.

“Aldi’s alternative shopping experience adds to our strong retail, dining, entertainment and fashion mix and further cements Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City as truly the best place to shop in the northern corridor,” he said.