ALDI Ireland has announced it will open its new store in Moate later this month, marking the retailer’s 168th store across the country making the good life affordable for all. The new €8 million Moate store will be ALDI’s fifth store in Westmeath and will create 30 new permanent jobs locally when it opens on Thursday, 29th October.
The new ALDI Moate Store
Located on Athlone Road, the new store is one of five ALDI stores across Westmeath, bringing the retailer’s total investment in the county to date to more than €33.3 million. ALDI now employs more than 100 people in the county and has welcomed over 1.8 million customers to its Westmeath stores in 2025 alone.
The new 1,171 sqm store in Moate features ALDI’s award-winning Project Fresh layout, with wide aisles and hi-spec fixtures and fittings. ALDI shoppers will have access to 116 car parking spaces, including 4 electric vehicle charging spaces. The new store will also feature 5 self-service checkouts to make shopping even more efficient and enjoyable for shoppers and an in-store bakery.
Meet Fiona Smith, the Westmeath Native Set to Lead the New ALDI Moate Store
Store Manager, Fiona Smith brings over 14 years of ALDI retail experience to the new Moate store. A Co. Westmeath native originally from Rochfortbridge and living in Athlone for over 25 years, Fiona began her career with ALDI in 2012 as an Assistant Store Manager. Having developed her skills across ALDI stores in both Athlone and Tullamore, she was appointed Store Manager in 2022 and is now taking the reins at Westmeath’s newest ALDI location.
“Being a Westmeath native, I am genuinely thrilled to be leading the team for our brand-new store opening in Moate,” said Fiona Smith. “We already know many of our shoppers who used to travel into Athlone from Moate and the surrounding areas, so it will be fantastic to see familiar faces alongside plenty of new ones. There’s incredible excitement building across the local community, and the whole store team can't wait to open the doors.”
Outside of store life, Fiona leads a busy household in Athlone with her husband Martin, their three young children and their energetic Irish doodle, Zach. Between balancing local GAA, soccer, swimming, and dancing schedules, Fiona understands firsthand the need for speed, convenience, and low prices for busy local families.
Ahead of the store opening, Fiona shared her top tips to help local shoppers get the best value out of every trip to ALDI:
Smart Savings for Christmas: “One of my biggest tips for shoppers relates to the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). Instead of spending your return vouchers immediately, ask us to load your DRS refunds directly onto an ALDI Savings Card at the till. Accumulating those vouchers throughout the autumn adds up fast and takes a massive sting out of the big Christmas shop later in the year.”
Get Ahead with the ALDI App: “Download the free ALDI app before heading in-store. It’s the simplest way to preview upcoming Thursday and Sunday Specialbuys and track price drops before you even step through the door.”
Championing Irish Producers: “ALDI works with incredible local producers nationwide. One of my personal household favourites is the Specially Selected Wild Sage & Sauteed Onion Sourdough Stuffing by Mr.Crumb and is made in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, - It is an award-winning product with top tier quality at unbeatable prices.”
Reflecting on her 14-year career progression with ALDI, Fiona also offers words of encouragement for local jobseekers considering a career in modern retail: “ALDI is a business where hard work, a genuine attitude, and a willingness to learn are truly rewarded. There are real pathways to build a long-term career here. It’s fast-paced, but the team spirit and career progression opportunities make it a brilliant place to grow.”
Sustainability
The new Moate store includes 360m2 solar panels, which contributes to almost 50% of the store’s energy requirements and to ALDI’s ongoing nationwide programme to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions.
Since the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in February 2024, ALDI customers in Westmeath have returned over 14 million drink containers, generating more than €2.4 million in refunds. Nationally, shoppers have returned more than 582 million items to ALDI stores, redeeming almost €99 million in cash or vouchers since the introduction of the scheme.
Customers at the new Moate store will also have the option to donate their deposit directly to Barnardos, ALDI’s long-standing charity partner.
Supporting Local Community
Through ALDI’s partnership with FoodCloud, ALDI has also donated over 24,000 meals to Westmeath charities and community groups in 2025, reflecting its ongoing commitment to sustainability and community wellbeing.
ALDI. It’s Not Complicated.
