Aldi sign

German discount retailer Aldi has confirmed that it will invest up to A$1bn in refurbishing and upgrading 150 stores across Australia to meet growing demand in the country.

The investment will include the construction of a 5,000m2 distribution centre in Dandenong and a new quality products centre in Sydney, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

'Although a young business, some of our stores are due for a significant internal upgrade that involves replacing and updating light fixtures and the installation of new and updated modern store designs,' said Tom Daunt, Aldi's managing director for Victoria.

Aldi has taken around 3 per cent of national grocery sales in Australia since its entry in 2001 but has found expansion difficult, partly due to tight town planning laws, Mr Daunt added.