expansion plans announced by discount grocery store chain

More than 900 new stores belonging to the ALDI discount grocery store company are expected to be built from the ground up or carved out of existing space in the next four years.

Based in Essen, Germany, ALDI currently has in excess of 10,000 stores internationally, with the U.S. currently being its second largest market behind Germany.

ALDI is known for having its shelves stocked with boxes of products such as carbonated beverages and snack foods on the theory that customers will buy larger quantities of such staples. Also the company determined that it can save thousands of hours in wages by not having employees opening those boxes and placing their contents on the shelves, as is the typical practice in most other grocery stores.

According to an analysis published by the Chicago-based market research company Information Resources, Inc., ALDI in recent years has been making significant inroads with Millennial Generation shoppers due to its “increasing emphasis on organic and healthier products.”

ALDI stores typically measure anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 square feet. Where the company’s new outlets will be located is expected to be announced incrementally.
Most of ALDI’s current stores are located in the Midwest and South. In December the company announced it was opening three new stores in California, two in Florida, and one each in Alabama, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia.

By Garry Boulard