ALDI has created jobs as it prepares to come to Dubbo in a move that could heat up competition in the market.
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The company will open the doors of a $4.25 million food store in Talbragar Street to shoppers on September 24.
The fruition of ALDI's plans to enter the Dubbo market has spun jobs into the local economy in addition to the at least 100 to 150 local people involved in the construction phase.
"The opening of the new store also marks the start of rewarding career opportunities for 15 local residents who have been recruited as the new members of the ALDI Dubbo team," an ALDI Australia spokeswoman said.
The arrival of the new player could rev up competition in the supermarket sector at Dubbo as it has at other locations across the country and ALDI this week foreshadowed its offering to the city's customers.
"Dubbo residents are set to enjoy smarter shopping and more retail options when the new ALDI Dubbo store officially opens its doors to the community on September 24," the spokeswoman said.
"Located at Talbragar Street, the new ALDI Dubbo store will provide local residents the opportunity to experience ALDI's shopping innovations and high quality exclusive brands at permanently low prices."
Yesterday, three weeks before the opening date, contractor Streetbuild Construction and Refurbishment and its crews were busy on the site in Talbragar Street.
The concrete and structural steel building now bears the colours of the German-owned chain, with ALDI reporting that everything was on track.
"The new store is in its final stages of construction with the official signage due to go up this week, and final fit-outs and stocks to come in the week commencing September 15," the spokeswoman said.
Dubbo consumers had long told the Daily Liberal the retailer known for its bargains was on their wish lists when ALDI lodged a development application (DA) for a food store with a gross floor area of 1857 square metres and a 120-space car park in April last year.
At its approval three months later, Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson said ALDI's plans demonstrated a huge vote of confidence in Dubbo, the region's economy and was a "tick of approval for the Dubbo Local Environmental Plan 2011".
ALDI began recruiting earlier this year, receiving applications from more than 150 Dubbo residents.
Construction started in March and by June Streetbuild operations and project manager in NSW Wayne Coburn estimated the project had generated work for about 100 to 150 local people.
ALDI has grown rapidly since launching in Australia in 2000.
At the start of the year it held a national market share of 10.3 per cent Coles and Woolworth held a combined 72.5 per cent of the supermarket trade.