Aldi in store

By Shaun Inguanzo
DISCOUNT supermarket Aldi is planning to open a store in Springvale South in a move local traders say would revitalise their struggling businesses.
Springvale Plaza trader David Butten told the Star that Aldi had approached the body corporate and now it was only a matter of having all members give the green light.
If the body corporate allows it, Aldi will then apply to the City of Greater Dandenong council for a permit to build a supermarket at Springvale Plaza in Springvale South in a move that Mr Butten said would revitalise trade in the area.
“It has certainly had a chequered history,” Mr Butten said of Springvale Plaza.
“(The Aldi store) has got a few hurdles to go yet but the basic principle is that once it comes into the shopping centre Aldi would become an anchor tenant, a traffic generator.
“At the moment, if you have a look, there are quite a few vacant shops (in Springvale Plaza) at the moment.
“We need a large anchor tenant like Aldi to ensure the long-term viability of the shopping centre.”
Such a move would usher in Greater Dandenong’s second Aldi supermarket, with the first opening near the Dandenong Market in Dandenong last year.
The German supermarket chain is renowned worldwide for its low prices brought about by selling its own brands and cutting costs by removing most shelving, charging for plastic bags and sourcing goods directly from local suppliers.
An Aldi spokesman confirmed the company’s interest in Springvale Plaza.
“Springvale South provides Aldi with an opportunity to service the Springvale South community and provide local residents with greater choice when it comes to deciding where to shop,” he said. “Historically, Aldi stores have helped reinvigorate tired commercial precincts by increasing customer flow and spending which benefits other complementary businesses such as bakeries, newsagents and delis.
“Success stories include Belmont in Geelong and Melbourne’s West Heidelberg precinct and we would hope to have a similar positive effect on the Springvale Plaza.”
Mr Butten said he was confident the entire body corporate would support Aldi’s arrival.
“They’ve indicated they want to come, so let’s pave the way for them,” he said. “We’ve already invited the mayor (John Kelly) and councillor Yvonne Herring down for a briefing so the council is prepared when a planning permit comes up.”