Aldi is preparing to launch a major national advertising campaign in Australia at the end of the month to coincide with the opening of its first stores in New South Wales. A billboard sign displayed outside the Bankstown store relaying details of the German retailer's Australian launch put paid to rumours it was behind schedule with plans to enter the market this year. The Bankstown store is the first of 100 outlets Aldi plans to build on the south coast under the direction of German boss Michael Kloeters. But the former head of Aldi's UK operation, Trevor Coates, predicts it will take 15 years for Aldi to make any real impact on the Australian market. Coates left Aldi in September to take the helm at Australian food retailer Foodland, putting him in direct competition with his old firm. Australian supermarket chains Woolworths and Coles Myer have prepared for the German invasion by launching new own label ranges. {{NEWS }}

Topics