To further consolidate its position as one of the fastest-growing supermarket chains in the U.S., ALDI plans to open 120 new stores this year. That will bring the German discount grocer’s total number of stores nationwide to more than 2,400 by the end of 2023.
At a time when inflation is forcing some retailers to slow growth or even close stores, Aldi said its customers are actively asking for more stores in their communities.
“While inflation is undoubtedly driving unprecedented demand for affordable groceries, we know that once customers experience the ALDI difference, they keep shopping with us, even when the economy improves,” said Jason Hart, CEO of ALDI U.S.
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“Our customers lead our growth, and they continue to want more ALDI locations coast-to-coast,” Hart noted.
This year’s planned expansion builds on the strong growth achieved in 2022.
ALDI opened and remodeled 139 stores, welcomed approximately 9.4 million new customers, and drove double-digit year-over-year growth as shoppers sought relief from rising food prices.
The grocer is on track to continue that momentum this year, opening 35 stores in the first quarter alone and welcoming 5.3 million new customers as of April 2023.
ALDI’s new store openings will span the continental U.S., including the rapidly growing Southeast region where ALDI recently opened its 26th regional headquarters and distribution center in Loxley, Alabama, to help support new stores in the area.
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This year, ALDI will add stores in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, new markets for the grocer.
According to the German grocer, the brick-and-mortar expansion is part of a more considerable omnichannel experience designed to make grocery shopping as convenient and enjoyable as possible, no matter how customers prefer to shop, whether in-store, through the curbside pickup or via delivery through shop.ALDI.us or e-commerce partners DoorDash and Instacart.
As part of its broad commitment to sustainability, the grocery chain said it is enhancing new and existing stores with eco-friendly features, including installing rooftop solar panels and eliminating plastic shopping bags.
ALDI is also implementing environmentally-friendly refrigerants in its stores, a significant move to reduce carbon emissions that earned the grocer recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) GreenChill program.
As part of this national expansion, ALDI will add nearly 2,000 new employees to support the additional store count.