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Discount supermarket chain Aldi plans to open a store in Whyalla

Discount supermarket chain Aldi has set its sights on Whyalla, with plans to set up shop in the resurgent town as early as this year.

An artist's impression of the Aldi and Chemist Warehouse proposed for South Rd, Clovelly Park
An artist's impression of the Aldi and Chemist Warehouse proposed for South Rd, Clovelly Park

Discount supermarket chain Aldi has set its sights on Whyalla, with plans to set up shop in the resurgent town as early as this year.

The German retailer has entered a contract to acquire a 9000sqm site on Ekblom St, across from the town’s biggest shopping centre — Westland — which is home to Coles and Woolworths.

A development application has been submitted with council, with adjacent land-owners and businesses given until Thursday to make a submission.

It follows November’s opening of an Aldi supermarket in Port Pirie.

Whyalla City Council chief executive Chris Cowley said the retailer’s commitment to the town was a further sign of Whyalla’s revival following GFG Alliance’s investment in the local steelworks.

“Given the importance of the development, we’ll be doing everything in our power to process it in the fastest possible way, so Aldi has the opportunity to progress to construction as soon as possible,” he said.

“Over the past couple of years momentum has been building but what we’re seeing now, on the back of the very large announcements by GFG and council a couple of weeks ago, is we’re seeing come to fruition all the groundwork that had been laid.

“Confidence is coming back for the business community to start investing.”

In just over two years Aldi has opened 29 stores across South Australia, as it progresses its long-term goal of opening 50 stores across the state.

Store openings at Port Adelaide, Newton, Blackwood and Mount Gambier are planned this year.

Should queuing be banned at Aldi sales?

An Aldi spokeswoman was unable to confirm a timeline for the Whyalla store, but it is understood it could begin trading by the end of this year.

The spokeswoman said the new supermarket would generate up to 20 full and part-time jobs when opened.

“We are eager to bring our unique shopping experience to local residents in Whyalla,” she said.

“When establishing a new store, Aldi considers the long-term potential of the area and population numbers.

“We work closely with local planning bodies such as councils, other businesses and community groups to ensure we positively impact the local area.”

Mr Cowley said council projections had Whyalla’s population growing from 23,000 to 35,000 in the short-to-medium term, but that could swell further depending on how GFG Alliance’s recently announced plans for the steelworks progress.

“Following those announcements we’ve had firm commitments to purchase several blocks in our industrial estate, for companies that have decided they want to act now ahead of the demand,” he said.

Adelaide property investor Harry Perks, who manages the syndicate of investors who own the Westland Shopping Centre and the land Aldi plans to purchase and develop, said population growth in the region would support another grocery player.

“Aldi were going to Whyalla and like a lot of things, if you’re going to come in you might as well have them as close as possible, because it brings people into the area,” he said.

“The announcement before Christmas was huge - we expect the population of Whyalla to grow significantly over the next two-to-three years.”

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/sa-business-journal/discount-supermarket-chain-aldi-plans-to-open-a-store-in-whyalla/news-story/fadd6e7fb27736b07fedad2c8778a2e0