Aldi grocery store starts process to build in Red Bank / White Knoll area

Red Bank, SC (Paul Kirby) The ALDI grocery chain has begun the process needed to develop a store in the Red Bank / White Knoll area of the county. The property that the company has selected is located at 5506 Platt Springs Road. This is at the intersection of Platt Springs Rd. and the access road to the Wal-Mart Supercenter and the Lowe’s Home Improvement warehouse near the White Knoll High School football stadium.

According to Lexington County’s spokesman, Harrison Cahill, a DRM (Developmental Review Meeting) was held on January 12, 2017. A DRM is a meeting between the developer of the project and governmental regulatory agencies like the county’s zoning, building inspection, storm water management, and fire prevention departments. Often, there are also representatives from the state’s agencies that have regulations that could come into effect when building,like the SCDOT, that are there as well.

ALDI is a German supermarket chain that includes two leading global discount supermarket chains with over 10,000 stores in 18 countries. The chain was founded by brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht in 1946 when they took over their mother's store in Essen. Her store had been in operation since 1913.

Some of ALDI’s business practices are common in Germany, but are relatively unique in other countries like the US. This includes the system of metal gates and turnstiles, forcing customers to exit through the checkout and charging customers for shopping bags.

ALDI specializes in staple items, such as food, beverages, toilet paper, sanitary articles, and other inexpensive household items. Many of its products are their own brands, with the number of other brands usually limited to a maximum of two for a given item. This increases sales for each article and lets ALDI stores be smaller than stores with more brand choice.

Major brand-name products, such as Oscar Mayer bacon, sometimes are offered as a special purchase. These are name-brand items that Aldi has received at a special price from the vendor and can offer for a reduced price. Unlike most stores, Aldi does not accept manufacturers' coupons either.

According to Lexington County, no permits have been issued for the project. No construction can begin until all regulations are met and permits are issued