The discount grocery chain Aldi plans to open 900 stores by the end of 2028, strengthening its presence in the Midwest and Northeast, opening more new stores in the West and entering the Las Vegas market for the first time. (Shutterstock),
ACROSS AMERICA — The discount grocer Aldi said Thursday it will significantly expand to more U.S. communities over the next several years and open 800 new stores nationwide.
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Organic growth with the acquisition of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket parent Southeastern Grocers is driving the expansion in the South, the Batavia, Illinois-based grocer said.
Another 300 stores will be added in the already strong Midwest and Northeast markets, and the grocer also plans to expand its footprint in the West by opening new stores in Arizona and Southern California, and entering the Las Vegas market for the first time.
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Aldi said the expansion responds to consumer demand for lower-cost food as grocery prices remain stubbornly high, despite cooling inflation overall.
The latest inflation report shows grocery prices increased by less than half a percentage point from December to January, but remain persistently high after a big jump of 11.4 percent in 2022. Typically, grocery prices go up about 2.5 percent a year.
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The company said it wants to bring the “lowest possible prices during a time when consumers are more focused than ever on saving money.”
“Our growth is fueled by our customers, and they are asking for more Aldi stores in their neighborhoods nationwide,” Jason Hart, the company’s chief executive, said in a statement.
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Aldi’s expansion will cost about $9 billion over five years. The company said 50 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores will continue to operate under their current banners until the latter part of 2024, and then will reopen as Aldi stores in 2025.
Also as part of the plan, Aldi said it plans to build and remodel stores with sustainable features such as energy-efficient LED lighting, environmentally friendly refrigeration systems and rooftop solar systems, among other energy efficiency measures.
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