Germany-Based Aldi Discount Supermarket Chain Eyes Expansion Into Pflugerville

PFLUGERVILLE, TX — Officials with Essen, Germany-based discount supermarket chain Aldi have scheduled a job fair next week ahead of a possible store opening in Pflugerville, according to a published report.

The Pflugerville Pflag reported that the company seeks to fill retail management positions for a local store, as outlined to a posting on the company’s website. But Karla Waddleton, Aldi division vice president, told hte newspaper there is no timeline for the opening of the store slated 1415 FM 685 just east of Pfennig Lane.

City spokesperson Terri Toledo told the newspaper a construction permit issued to the company expired in August 2016 but re-filed for a new permit. The retailer has owned the property for the envisioned store for more than two years.

Expansion-minded Aldi has opened stores throughout the state as part of its goal of opening 600 new stores over a five-year period that began in 2014, according to the Houston Chronicle. In addition to operating stores in the Houston area, the company has opened 55 stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. According to Wikipedia, Aldi operates more than 10,000 stores in 18 countries.

The 1,600-store operator bills itself as a cheaper alternative to larger grocery store chains such as HEB and Randalls. The Chronicle noted in its report that the typical Aldi store encompasses 16,000 square feet of space with 10,000 square feet devoted to sales floor area.

Among its ways of keeping costs down, no grocery bags are offered and customers are expected to bag their own groceries, the Pflag noted. Moreover, customers rent out shopping carts for 25 cents, a reimbursable fee once the cart is returned.

A Jan. 24 job fair is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Best Western Plus, 16101 Impact Way. Applicants also can fill out an application ahead of time. Among the positions advertised is one for manager trainee that pays $57,000 annually based on a 45-hour work week paying $23.05 per hour, with opportunities to earn up to $85,000 annually.

"As a Manager Trainee at ALDI, you’ll never experience the same day twice," officials write on the job fair announcement. "The store management team is the ALDI philosophy in action. Every ALDI store has a dynamic, responsive and dedicated team with a leader who personifies these same qualities."

The company lists the various benefits of working at Aldi:

• Industry-leading wages;
• Medical, dental, vision insurance and prescription coverage for eligible employees;
• Generous vacation time with seven paid holidays;
• 401(k) Plan;
• Company contribution toward retirement savings plan;
• Short- and long-term disability insurance;
• Life and disability insurance.

To apply, click here.

>>> Read the full story at Pflugerville Pflag

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