ALDI: Supermarket chain ‘negotiating’ opening Townsville stores: Acting Mayor

High hopes that discount supermarket chain ALDI will open in North Queensland have been given a major boost with rumours suggesting a store is on the horizon.

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper says he has heard “a very strong rumour Aldi is finally coming to Townsville”. The discount supermarket chain have been contacted for comment. Picture: Gaye Gerard

High hopes that discount supermarket chain ALDI will open in North Queensland have been given a major boost with rumours suggesting a store is on the horizon.

“I know there are negotiations going on behind the scenes but I don’t know any more than that other than we want them to come – the sooner they can get here, the better,” Townsville Acting Mayor Mark Molachino said on Thursday.

“We’re talking to a lot of different vendors and traders that want to come into the city at the moment and obviously ALDI has shown some interest in Townsville, (but) they haven’t pursued anything yet.”

Townsville Deputy Mayor Mark Molachino. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper sparked the questions about the German supermarket after he posted on social media that he had heard “a very strong rumour ALDI is finally coming to Townsville”.

Despite acknowledging there was yet to be any official confirmation, the Labor MP claimed he had heard Willows Shopping Centre was a possible new home for the German retailer’s first North Queensland outlet.

He said if that proved to be true, the news was “awesome” and “I can’t wait”.

ALDI, meanwhile, have remained coy on the prospect, issuing an oft-repeated statement on Thursday.

“We will always consider the feasibility of new locations, however at this stage, ALDI has no plans to share regarding a Townsville location.”

Cr Molachino said the impediments to ALDI making a firm commitment to opening in Townsville and North Queensland were logistical in nature, specifically a distribution hub.

“The furthest north is Rockhampton I believe so they can basically truck everything from Brisbane to Rockhampton whereas coming to Townsville’s a bit far so if ALDI does come to Townsville there’s probably a high likelihood they’re going to set up some sort of hub here as well.”

He said if the hub was established, it was likely ALDI would expand to other areas in North Queensland.

Along with Townsville, Mackay and Cairns have been listed as other possible sites for ALDI stores.

Bulk discounter Costco, meanwhile, categorically ruled out the possibility of opening a “warehouse club” in Townsville, saying the city was too small. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Bulk discounter Costco, meanwhile, categorically ruled out the possibility of opening a “warehouse club”.

“We continually review all areas of Australia for suitable sites, typically we would like a trade area of 300,000 to 500,000 people with 30 to 45 minute access,” Costco Managing Director Patrick Noone said on Thursday afternoon.

“While at the moment, the only new site in Queensland we are working on at the moment is in Coomera, we will continue to review other areas for opportunities.”

The immediate Townsville catchment area had a population of just under 200,000 as of 2020, with current projections predicting the population will not surpass 300,0000 people until well into the 2040s.

IKEA have also been contacted for comment.

Originally published as ALDI: Supermarket chain ‘negotiating’ opening Townsville stores: Acting Mayor