I wanted to give a bit of advice as I know the process can be daunting -
Initial application, video interview, group assesment, final interview.
Video Interview - Simple 5 questions to answer about the position / yourself / the company - my advice would be to not over think this stage, just make sure you have done your homework about the company, the ins and outs of the role and what makes you good for the position, make the most of the time you have, present yourself well but don't fret it if you make a mistake.
Group Assesment - You have a presentation on a randomly selected topic, be prepared with notes from your store walk but also on general company knowledge. My notes really put me at ease and allowed me to get the most out of the 10 mins you have to prepare, it is obvious when people were unprepared. The group task is straightforward, really take the time to think about the task at hand, be a leader and a team player - I actually thought it went well virtually, our group got on well and everyone was given the opportunity to give their opinions - but make sure to take the lead, ask questions, etc.
My advice for this stage would be to speak to employees when doing your store walk, they can tell you a lot more information about the company than just you walking around by yourself. If you have an online assesment centre due to covid - still dress the part! Aldi head office dress code is smart / business and as an area manager this will also be your dress code. So, make sure you give a good first impression, even though you are at home, wear what you would wear if you were actually going to meet them face to face.
Final interview - I really enjoyed my final interview, it is made clear to you the demands of the position and you will explore your background in depth, the MD wants to get to know you as a person and if you're right for the team, so be honest & draw upon your past experiences in school / uni / sports / charity etc.
I think this position is definitely there for the taking for anyone who is exceptionally driven / ambitious and ready for hard work. The area manager position is marketed to us as 'really hard work' and this starts before you even have an offer / interview. I honestly must have put 15-20 hours into really understanding the business model and the role throughout the recruitment process and prior to my final interview. If you're serious about this role and can put the work in before hand you have every chance of success, good luck!