ALDI, Manly Wharf: Closing its doors on September 14

A major supermarket in a high-profile northern beaches’ location is set to shut up shop, for good. See the reasons why.

A supermarket in a high-profile location on the northern beaches is closing its doors after 17 years.

Giant German retailer ALDI has confirmed its store on Manly Wharf will cease business on September 14.

This leaves Coles as the only supermarket operator with a store in the Manly CBD, with two outlets, including a Coles “Local”“on The Corso and Coles “Manly Peninsula” on Wentworth St.

The ALDI supermarket on Manly Wharf at Manly, pictured on Monday. It will close on September 14. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Woolworths tried its hand in the seaside suburb when it opened a “Metro” in the former Commonwealth Bank building on The Corso in December 2019. But the Metro closed in February 2021, with Woolies citing “challenging trading conditions in the area” as the reason.

When asked by the Manly Daily on Monday why it was shutting the Manly Wharf supermarket, ALDI said it wanted to “refine the geography of our stores”

ALDI has an outlet at nearby Balgowlah as well as Warringah Mall, Dee Why, Frenchs Forest, Belrose, Warriewood and Mona Vale.

The ALDI supermarket on Manly Wharf will close on September 14. The retail giant said it wanted to “refine the geography” of its stores. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

“Our store network has grown steadily and we are now taking steps to refine the geography of our stores, therefore we have decided not to renew the lease at our Manly Wharf store,” a spokesman said.

“We can confirm that we are closing ALDI Manly Wharf store, and the last day of trading will be 14 September.

“Since opening, local residents have embraced our award-winning products and Special Buys for the last 17 years and we are thankful for the ongoing support we have received from the community.”

The empty Woolworths 'Metro' supermarket on The Corso at Manly, pictured on Monday, has been closed since February 2021. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

ALDI acknowledged it would be an “inconvenience for regular shoppers to the store”, but urged them to “continue enjoying our high-quality products and unbeatable value” at its Balgowlah outlet.

“All of our employees at Manly Wharf will remain employed at alternative ALDI stores.”

Northern Beaches deputy mayor, and Manly Ward councillor Candy Bingham, said she had heard rumours the ALDI at the wharf was to close.

The Coles “Local” supermarket on The Corso at Manly — one of two offerings from the supermarket giant in the seaside suburb. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Ms Bingham suggested that the reduction in commuters catching the ferries to the city’s CBD may have led to reduced customer numbers at the supermarket located on the eastern side of the wharf.

“It’s disappointing to see ALDI go.

“I think it relied on a lot of people coming home from work on the ferry, but that’s dropped off quite a bit.

Manly ALDI shoppers will have to travel to Balgowlah to get their unique ALDI products. Picture: Supplied

ALDI - SAVVY SHOPPER - WEEK 36 - Goldenvale Breakfast Bubbles 450g

“Manly is well served by the two Coles’ offerings and the “Local” Coles is quite different to the major Coles store.”

When the Woolies Metro opened in 2019, its then manager, Mark Sawyer, said it would appeal to busy city commuters, tourists and locals.

The interior of the former Woolworths 'Metro' supermarket on The Corso at Manly pictured on Monday. It still has shelving and fridges — and the lights turned on — despite closing its doors in February 2021. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

The site, which still contains shelving an refrigerated display cabinets, is yet to be leased out again, more than 18 months after it closed.

The owner of Manly Wharf, Robert Majid, has been contacted for comment.