Just bought a new American Standard Stratocaster HSS, Sienna Sunburst, Maple neck - very nice and posh etc. Notice that the central alignment (strings to inlay dots, strings to pickups etc) is not quite as immaculately central as in the website pics for instance. Does this matter? Any ideas or comments?

Yes it does matter.
I had a brand new MIA Standard shipped to me once and it must have taken a hit somewhere in transit and the neck came out of alignment. That's the life of a bolt on neck. The high E string was too close to the edge of the fingerboard and the low E was a mile away from the edge. It was uncomfortable to play. I took it in for a complete set up. Here is what they did:

1. Loosen the strings.
2. Loosen the four neck bolts one or two turns.
3. Give the neck a firm shove in the direction you want it to move.
4. Tighten neck bolts.
5. Tune to pitch and check alignment. Repeat if needed.

I've heard stories from old timers of the old days when Fender reps would just take the Strat or Tele and give the neck a good WHACK even without loosening the neck bolts and there would be a loud POP heard throughout the guitar shop. "There ya go kid, your neck is now aligned".

If you're uncomfortable doing this, take it to a tech. Good luck!

_________________
Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.