Discount grocer Aldi today announced a five-year strategic plan to open 650 new stores across the nation. The company launched its expansion efforts after announcing it would build a regional headquarters and distribution center in Moreno Valley, Calif.
To reach its goal of 2,000 stores, Aldi plans to accelerate the pace of new store openings over the next five years to an average of 130 per year, up from an average of 80 stores per year in recent years. Aldi expects to invest more than $3 billion in land, facilities and equipment during the aggressive expansion. When the plan is complete, the company will have stores coast to coast, serving an estimated 45 million customers per month. The expansion is expected to create more than 10,000 new jobs at Aldi stores, warehouses and division offices. Additionally, the company’s growth is expected to have a positive economic impact on its long-term supplier-partners, as well as provide opportunities for new supplier-partners as Aldi expands its footprint.
“We’re ramping up our expansion plans to meet growing demand for Aldi from customers across the country,” said Jason Hart, president of Aldi. “Recently, we successfully entered new markets such as Houston and expanded our presence in competitive markets like South Florida and New York City. At Aldi, we believe that great quality can be affordable, and we are eager to bring the Aldi difference to new markets like Southern California.”
Aldi cites the appeal of its unique business model that lets shoppers save up to 50 percent on more than 1,300 of the most commonly purchased grocery items, including nearly 70 varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables, without having to clip coupons or buy in bulk, as the impetus for its planned growth.
Since opening its first store in 1976, Aldi has achieved measured but steady growth through organic expansion. Today, Aldi has nearly 1,300 stores across 32 states and employs more than 18,000 people.
“When we open a new store, word-of-mouth about the amazing quality and freshness of the products available at Aldi spreads quickly from loyal shoppers to friends and neighbors. While new customers are sometimes surprised that Aldi doesn’t look or feel like other grocery stores, once they learn how our efficiencies directly impact their savings at the register, they embrace the Aldi way of grocery shopping,” said Hart.
He added, “We’ve updated our new store design to be brighter and more welcoming than ever before. And we continue to increase our healthy food options, including fresh produce, meats, dairy and baked goods. Our Fit & Active line offers a number of foods that have less fat and sodium and fewer calories, and we are preparing to introduce our new SimplyNature line of natural and organic foods. With everything we have to offer, it’s no surprise to us that more and more people are discovering that they don’t have to sacrifice quality and taste to save money by shopping at Aldi.”
