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ALDI UNVEILS NEWLY RENOVATED BLESSINGTON “PROJECT FRESH” STORE

ALDI’s Blessington Co. Wicklow “Project Fresh” store has reopened its doors to customers today following an extensive renovation project worth almost €1M, which has seen the store interior completely refurbished.

Featuring the new layout, the Blessington Store now offers a wide selection of fresh food at the front of the store, hi-spec fixtures and fittings throughout the store and new product category signage that provides an effortless shopping experience. The customer-focused layout allows for the products customers know and love to be found more easily, whilst browsing new ranges.

The newly refurbished store has received a full makeover in line with ALDI’s award-winning Project Fresh design, which was recognised at the National Grocery Retail Awards when ALDI scooped the Discounter Store of the Year award for its Killaloe store, thanks in part to its superior quality of display across its fresh fruit and vegetable offering.

ALDI has invested heavily in improving its energy management systems and its entire store network is now powered by 100% wind generated energy. The retailer has achieved ISO 50001 accreditation in recognition of its efforts to improve energy efficiencies. The renovated Blessington store has also received a CO2 upgrade, meaning there will be a more environmentally friendly refrigerant in store.

ALDI has pledged to invest €320M in Ireland over the next three years which will see ALDI open 30 new stores across the country, building on the €1.6B it has already invested in its store and distribution network. ALDI is also investing in a Deposit Return Scheme across its store network, with trials launching earlier this year in the Mitchelstown, Mallow and Naas stores.

ALDI’s Wicklow stores are deeply rooted in the local community and participates in ALDI’s national partnership with FoodCloud, donating surplus food to local charities daily. The Wicklow stores have donated over 26,000 meals to its charity partners to date. ALDI’s Blessington store is also part of ALDI’s Community Grants network, with Irish Horse Welfare Trust, Arklow Cancer Support and Blessington’s Men’s Shed availing of the €500 bursary last year.

Operating 5 stores across County Wicklow, ALDI has become an established part of the Wicklow retail landscape, proving very popular with shoppers for bringing greater competition, choice, and value for money. ALDI has 7 local Wicklow suppliers spending a total of €6.4M in 2021. ALDI employs 112 staff members in Wicklow, spending €3.5M on wages annually.

Speaking at the reopening, Alan Kennedy, Blessington Store Manager said: “The Project Fresh revamp of our store is fantastic news for our local customers. The new spacious design makes for a very enjoyable shop and customers can easily find everything they need.”

“Our promise to our Blessington customers is that we will never be beaten on price, and we will always provide the best value. Our Inflation savings campaign continues, and the goal is to remind shoppers about the savings they can make by swapping their weekly shop to ALDI.”

ALDI is committed to supporting its Irish supply base and increasing the number of Irish products available in its stores. ALDI currently works with 330 Irish suppliers and has invested more than €5.5M in its Grow with ALDI supplier development programme since 2018, which offers up-and-coming artisan Irish food and drink producers the chance to have their products listed in ALDI’s 150 stores.