Source: Herald Sun

Story By: Karen Collier

DISCOUNT chain Aldi is intensifying the supermarket wars with longer trading hours and expanded specials.

In a bid to poach more budget-conscious customers from giants Coles and Woolworths, the low-cost operator will extend its shopping hours and release special buys twice instead of once a week from October.

Consumer group Choice spokeswoman Ingrid Just welcomed the competition, saying the big two had a stranglehold of almost 80 per cent of grocery sales.

"More convenience is a good thing for consumers and it potentially enables Aldi to capture more of the market," Ms Just said.

The battle follows a Coles and Woolies invasion of Aldi's territory through boosted private label products and aggressive price cuts on staples such as bread and milk.

Aldi managing director of buying Stefan Kopp said customer growth and higher sales allowed for the extended trade and discounts.

From October 1, many stores will open half an hour earlier on weekdays and Sunday, and stay open an hour later from Monday to Wednesday and on weekends.

New hours in Brunswick, for example, will be 8.30am-8pm weekdays and 8.30am-7pm weekends.

From October 5, the German chain will also release special buys on Wednesdays and Saturdays rather than Thursday.

To read the full story, follow this link: www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/cut-price-chain-aldi-extends-hours-in-battle-for-supermarket-supremacy/story-fn7x8me2-1226126760339