German discount retail chain Aldi opts for customer-friendly design

Unterhaching, Germany

OUT with the cardboard boxes, rough forklift crates and no-frills warehouse look - in with cozy wood panelling, natural light and chilled fruit smoothies at the breakfast bar.

Aldi, Germany's original discount supermarket chain, is getting a major facelift - spelling the end of an era, at least in design terms, for the traditional first-stop shop of the thrifty German housewife.

Rising competition has pushed the retail giant to move away from…