Shoppers are still waiting to use a new Aldi store that was due to open two months ago.
The retail giant is unable to say when the 1,890sqm discount store, which is set to create up to 40 jobs, will welcome its first customers.
Social media posts suggest the supermarket at Salisbury Road in Calmore will open on December 12, but this has not been confirmed by Aldi.
In a brief statement, the company could only say that it planned to launch the new branch "later this year".
The lack of an official opening date is a potential blow to shoppers planning to buy all their Christmas food and drink at the store.
The hold-up is thought to be linked to roadworks outside the entrance to the site, which is next door to the AFC Totton stadium.
Contractors are improving the drainage network and work is not expected to finish until November 25 at the earliest. A short section of the road has been reduced to single width, with traffic controlled by lights.
READ MORE: New Aldi store in Salisbury Road, Calmore, due to open in August with 40 jobs
Totton councillor David Harrison said: "Most people I have spoken to anticipated a much earlier opening of the Aldi store.
"The company aren’t saying anything about the reasons behind the apparent delays, but it might be linked to the long-running roadworks at the access and problems that often arise in the course of such works."
Plans to build a supermarket on the site were unveiled in 2021 and the scheme was approved by New Forest District Council in December 2022.
Cllr Joe Reilly told fellow members of the district planning committee that the store would be a "great addition" to Totton.
Cllr Sue Bennison added: "This is an ideal space given the amount of housing coming forward in the local plan. I think the store will do really well."
READ MORE: Plenty of support for plan to build new Aldi supermarket that will create up to 40 jobs
The application was supported by the town council, which said it would provide shoppers with more choice as well as creating jobs.
Work on the store started several months ago and the building appears to be nearing completion.
In March this year Aldi said the store would open in August, but the building is still waiting to welcome its first customers.
An Aldi spokesperson told the Daily Echo: "We are finalising construction of our new Totton store and plan to open the store later this year. This will create up to 40 jobs and enable local people to shop and save closer to home.”
Asked why the opening had been delayed, Aldi did not respond.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel