ALDI’s nationwide expansion continues with the opening of its new store in Athenry, Co Galway, creating 30 new permanent jobs and investment of over €12m in the local area.
Located in Cross Street, the store becomes ALDI’s 12th store in Galway and 159th nationwide and was officially opened today by the local team and Store Manager Austin Mahony.
Last year, ALDI announced significant expansion plans, including a €63 million investment in six new stores across the West of Ireland. The first of these stores, Ballina, Tuam, and Mountbellew opened in 2022, with Ballyhaunis and Athenry opening in 2023 and finally Monivea Road, Galway City, which is set to open in 2024.
The €63 million investment will see the creation of up to 490 new jobs, comprising 140 permanent roles in ALDI and 350 indirect construction jobs.
Since opening its first Galway store in West City Centre Retail Park in 2000, ALDI has made a capital investment of over €42 million in the county. Across its 12 stores in Galway, the retailer employs over 265 people with a €7.5 million total annual salary spend.
Working with 11 local producers, ALDI spent €20 million with its Galway based suppliers in 2022.
Additionally, ALDI has invested €1.6 million in Galway as part of its Project Fresh initiative. ALDI Project Fresh stores focus on reducing the reliance on fossil fuels, using sustainable energy supply and avoiding CO2 emissions.
Speaking at the Athenry store opening, Austin Mahony, ALDI Athenry Store Manager said: “This new €12 million store in Athenry is the latest step in ALDI’s expansion programme and I’m delighted to open our 12th store in Galway today. This new store, and the 30 new jobs created, will support our ambition to deliver value to the people of Ireland at the locations most convenient to them.
As a leading retailer in Ireland, we are very conscious of the current challenges facing consumers and businesses. The cost-of-living crisis is impacting every household and we know what it means for our customers. Working alongside our strong network of local suppliers, we will continue to work hard, mindful of the challenges facing our customers and supporting them where we can.
Households and families in Athenry and the surrounding areas can now shop at their local ALDI and enjoy our range of great quality fresh produce, Irish ingredients and household products, all at affordable prices. Our promise to our Galway customers is that we will never be beaten on price, and we will always provide the best value when they shop with us.”
The spacious new 1,170 sqm store features ALDI’s award winning Project Fresh layout and features wide aisles and hi-spec fixtures and fittings. ALDI shoppers will be able to make use of 91 car parking spaces and 4 electric vehicle charging spaces. A total of 15 bike parking spaces are also available outside the ALDI store.
The store has been designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible, powered by green electricity and featuring solar panels on the roof of the store, powering items such as energy saving lights and ALDI’s new chiller fridges. It also features ALDI’s new Electronic Shelf Labels in store in place of traditional paper price labels, meaning that stock or price changes can be quickly and easily communicated to customers.
