A German supermarket giant is eyeing off locations across Australia, but a local businessman said it could take time before regional centres are considered.
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Kaufland is a 'hypermarket', which is a one-stop shop selling both supermarket staples and extras such has bikes or car maintenance supplies at discount prices.
A 2018 Deloitte study ranked the chain as the world's fourth largest retailer.
The Kaulfand Australia website says the supermarket is looking for stores across the country, however a spokeswoman remained tight-lipped about whether Wagga was on the agenda.
"We are currently exploring and discussing options throughout Australia, both in metro areas and regional communities," she said.
"We are excited to seek out all sites and opportunities where we can provide high quality, great service and amazing value to our customers."
Wagga Business Chamber member Daniel Donebus said big chains need to establish a distribution centre in order to service regional areas.
"I am aware about the new German supermarket chain but there are difficulties and if they were to come to Wagga, they would have to build a supply chain," Mr Donebus said.
"It is understood that they will initially look at major centres to begin their roll-outs and to setup logistics.
"When Aldi looked at opening in Wagga and further out in Leeton and Griffith, they needed to ensure they had logistical infrastructure and transport in place."
Mr Donebus said a giant chain like Kaufland establishing in Wagga could have both positive and negative effects on the market.
"The Wagga economy would welcome more competition, but we've also go local businesses which would suffer from greater competition," he said.
"It would need to be a proper balance, but these people are uncontested in Australia.
"As much as we like the idea of more options, they need to have their business case together before they come out this far."
Kaufland website says plot requirements for a supermarket site must be a minimum of 17,000 square metres, however the preferred size is 25,000sqm to 30,000sqm.
Wagga's former Masters building remains vacant and was one one of the company's largest sites at about 15,000 square metres.
Commercial real estate agent for Raine and Horne Craig Tait said he does not have an update on the Masters building, but Colliers were seeking tenants.
"The owners were proposing to redevelop the property into a bulky goods retail precinct," he said.
The Daily Advertiser contacted Home Consortium for comment on the former Masters building, however they did not respond to requests.
