Discount food retailer Aldi has announced plans to open its first supermarket in Edinburgh as it seeks to expand its Scottish operations.
The budget supermarket chain has applied for planning permission to convert the former Somerfield store at Gorgie Park Road in West Edinburgh into an 11,300 sq ft Aldi store .
The new store is scheduled to open next summer, with construction work set to begin in the spring. Once launched, the Edinburgh outlet will employ between 10-12 full and part-time staff.
Aldi currently has 37 stores in Scotland, employing some 400 staff, and intends to open a further 12 stores in the Scottish capital as part of its huge expansion programme in the country.
Markus Beher, managing director of Aldi in Scotland, commented: “We have been looking for sites in Edinburgh for some time and are delighted to be announcing plans for our first store in the city .”
“This is a great location for us, with a strong community who will benefit from the excellent quality choice of food that we offer at our fantastically good value prices.”
He added: “In today’s climate, people are having to make smarter choices with day-to-day living expenses. Aldi has been recognised as offering great value products without compromising on quality.”
The retailer is currently experiencing a credit-crunch backed boom with year-on-year sales up 23.9 per cent for the year ending 2 November 2008.
The company has seen its share of the UK grocery market increase as shoppers look to reign in their spending to overcome the economic recession.
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