Albany’s first Aldi store opens bringing a European-style grocery shopping experience to the Great Southern

Albany’s first Aldi store opened on Wednesday morning, with keen shoppers lining up early to be among the first customers inside the new shop.

The German supermarket chain opened its first Australian stores in Sydney in 2001 and can now be found at more than 570 locations across the country.

The supermarket’s first Albany store opened at 8.30am on Wednesday, with almost 100 people waiting outside for the doors to open.

Ruth Birtwistle had been queuing outside since 7.30am and was the store’s first paying customer.

“I jumped out of bed and rushed down, I don’t think I even brushed my hair,” Ms Birtwistle said.

Her only purchase was a high-pressure washer she said she would be using to clean her patio.

Aldi has gained a following among many shoppers who are fond of their bi-weekly “special buys” section which features a revolving range of items, including anything from clothes and furniture to power tools and cookware.

The new store offered several unique “special buys” as an opening offer.

Among the most popular items on Wednesday morning were lawnmowers and 60-inch televisions.

The new Albany store joins six other new stores opening across WA in the next two years.