Modern, sustainable, and surprisingly different: Aldi has opened its first store built entirely from a timber frame, and it could be the first of many more to come. Wood Central understands that the new pilot in Alzey, in Germany’s south, in the heart of its wine region, opened just in time for Christmas and comes as the supermarket giant looks at ways to build stores faster and more user‑friendly.
Inside, the 1,100‑square‑metre store offers a noticeably different shopping experience. Extra‑wide aisles and a bright, warm interior defined by exposed timber surfaces create an atmosphere far removed from its traditional steel‑and‑concrete corridors.
In total, crews used more than 150 tonnes of locally sourced wood and reinstalled 13 truckloads of predominantly timber furniture salvaged from the original store. Meanwhile, two photovoltaic systems – one retained from the original building and another recovered from a demolished Aldi branch – sit on the roof, supplying the vast majority of the store’s electricity needs, with the store incorporating a heat pump and electric‑vehicle charging stations.
Wood Central understands that the project moved at a rapid speed, from concept to opening in just 18 months, with demolition and construction completed in just six months — a pace Aldi attributes to the efficiencies of timber construction: “This was only possible because we broke new ground with timber construction,” said Gregor Leier, Director of Property Management at Aldi Süd. “This project shows what is possible today. We are very happy with the result. This will certainly not be the last market in this design.”
According to Steffan Jung, Alzey’s mayor, the pilot is a landmark for the city — and for German retail more generally. He said Aldi’s decision to trial its first all‑timber store in Alzey sends a message about where retail is going. “The fact that a major chain store like Aldi is implementing such a pilot project in Alzey of all places is a strong signal,” he said. “The market plays a pioneering role — for the Group and for our city. (And) It shows that modern commercial buildings do not have to be made of stone, steel, and concrete. This is a market that makes an impression.”
The Alzey project comes as ALDI looks to expand its global supermarket footprint. The chain already operates more than 13,000 stores worldwide across Europe, the United States, Australia, and China, making it one of the largest grocery chains on the planet. In Germany, ALDI ranks fourth among supermarket groups, behind Edeka, REWE, and the Schwarz Group.
