Supermarket giant Aldi films Christmas commercial in Tasmania

German supermarket giant Aldi has been spotted in Tasmania reigniting hopes it could open a store here.

GERMAN supermarket giant Aldi has chosen Tasmania as the backdrop for its latest Christmas television commercial but says it still has no plans to open a store here.

Enough Tasmanians want Aldi to provide competition to the two big supermarkets which dominate this state’s grocery landscape that a Facebook page called Bring Aldi to Tasmania has been established.

“Come on Aldi! Don’t just film here, give us a chance to shop at Aldi! Shake up the big two,” one local poster told the supermarket this week after it was revealed Tasmania was featured in its latest quirky campaign.

Behind the scenes during the Aldi commercial shoot. Picture: Supplied

But when asked this week if it had any plans to open here after filming its 2019 Christmas campaign in Smithton and Stanley, Aldi gave a firm no.

“While we are always looking to bring the Aldi difference to more communities, we have no plans to open stores in Tasmania,” a spokesman said.

Last year Aldi opened 32 new stores in Australia to boost its total to 500 stores.

What does it take to bring a whole village together this Christmas?

Posted by ALDI Australia on Thursday, 31 October 2019

Aldi said it filmed its Christmas campaign in North-West Tasmania because of the natural landscape.

“We chose these locations due to the beautiful scenery and the welcoming community, which allowed us to bring to life a vibrant and creative campaign. There were 120 locals who featured in the commercial.”

Tasmanian company Hype TV provided location management services for the filming.

Co-owner Dave Flower said the 60-strong crew spent a lot of money in the Circular Head community over the seven days they were on site.

“It would have been a huge spend with every available bed taken up and meals eaten at the local pub,” Mr Flower said.

“Stanley certainly turned on the weather over the five full days of filming. We location scouted for a couple of weeks before filming started and the residents were so welcoming.

“As a location manager, I need to get access to working properties like Highfield House and the people of Stanley and Smithton could not have been more helpful.”

The ad was filmed in Stanley and Smithton by local company Hype TV. Picture: Supplied

Former prime minister Joseph Lyons’ cottage was also part of the commercial, which focuses on a magical Christmas ham that feeds and brings the whole community together.

Tasmanians have been asking online why the supermarket chain would film a commercial here when it had no plans of entering the local grocery market.

“Great scenes of Stanley so when is Tasmania getting Aldi stores?” one mused on Aldi’s Facebook page.

“Did anyone see an ALDI store in this ad. No. Filmed Stanley Tasmania. No ALDI in Tasmania. Good to attract tourists but won’t they be expecting to be able to shop at ALDI,? another asked.