Posted on 06/01/2026 11:24:30 PM PDT by Cronos
Entering its 50th year stateside, Aldi is hitting the ground running by breaking ground this year on a host of new locations.
The discount grocer today announced footprint expansion plans that could push it to become the nation’s second-largest supermarket in terms of store count. It also said it would improve its supply chain operations and ecommerce experience, reaching a total investment of $9 billion over five years by 2028.
Aldi will open more than 180 new stores this year, bringing its footprint to ~2,800 amid its goal to reach 3,200 stores by 2028. It’ll debut in Portland, Maine—its 40th state—along with 10 new stores in Phoenix, Arizona (with 40 planned for 2030). Aldi will also double its Las Vegas footprint—where it opened four stores in 2025—by 2030, and open 50 stores in Colorado over the next five years.
On the back of its Southeastern Grocers deal, it’ll convert 80 of the grocer’s locations into Aldi stores, building on the 90 it’s already converted, and will change more than 200 by 2027.
The growth comes after a slew of new store openings last year, including 18 on a single day in December. Aldi is the third-largest grocery chain in the US in terms of store count, behind Kroger at 2,700 and Walmart with more than 5,000. But with the expansion plans, Aldi could be neck and neck with Kroger—which itself is closing 60 locations by year’s end—for the No. 2 spot.
(Excerpt) Read more at retailbrew.com ...
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It’s a German chain. Low markup and not a lot of selection. Lidl is also German and similar, but larger stores with somewhat more selection, generally better. Trader Joe was originally California based, and is low markup, but more health food and high end oriented. It was bought up by the same German company / family as Aldis.
The quarter for the shopping cart is German style. In Germany and Austria, you have to pay for shopping bags. The presentation is not so good. The products are mostly still in the boxes they came in, so hard to see.
Walmart has a similar approach with low markup, and also limited selection for food. There is not so much point in going to Costco or BJs, as you get almost as low prices without having to buy large quantities.
Some supermarkets near me have ridiculously high markup and few customers. With all the inflation, particularly of food prices, and salaries not keeping up, buying cheaper is attractive.
Not only does Aldi have a lot of good products and low prices, Trader Joe has the same. Neither is high priced.
Billionaire brothers ran each chain. The one brother lived so quietly on his estate apparently he died and the rest of the world didn’t know about it for months.
I used to avoid Aldi and I’m somewhat addicted to regular supermarkets. But Aldi has a lot of really good products at excellent prices and their checkout is super fast.
Aldi product and shopping experience is way better than Walmart.
I go 90% Publix and 10% Walmart. Mostly because the Publix closer to me. we do have an Aldi but every time I go in there I can’t find a dang thing to buy. I’ve tried many times.
Depends on what you get. Packaged baked goods are great (cereal, cookies, chips, etc), store brand canned beans are not (although I’ve seen Bush’s baked beans there). The local one has Duke’s mayo. Fresh fruits and vegetables are competitive with Walmart with a higher turnover rate, so generally fresher.
Lidl bought properties around here, then changed direction and disposed of them without building any stores. Not sure why they backed away from the market.
Hmm. I’ve never heard of Texas Steakhouse. Could you link to their website? Sounds like they are a nationwide chain, if they have them in Washington State, as well.
Word to the wise - in Texas, shop at HEB if you want top quality and huge selections.
They have a pretty good number in the ATL area.
Aldi’s is fantastic, and their store/private label stuff is as good as the national/global brands.
Because I live in Texas, it’s HEB, Aldi’s, then Kroger for me, to be honest.
I never shop WalMart.
And very limited inventory of grocery items. The one time I shopped at a local Aldi, it reminded me of a dollar store with cheap crap.
“I spend at most 200 dollars a month on average which I find reasonable for this day and age.”
That’s impressive! Does that include paper products, and personal care?
“I think I’m the only person who does not like Aldi.”
It’s not that I dislike it, but haven’t been impressed with it. My sister is almost professional with her shopping and goes to Aldi’s for some things. I’ve gone in with her but haven’t bought much. They have some “one off” interesting stuff. Seems like a liquidation type store, although I know it isn’t.
Dad shopped there about 25 years ago.
“I strongly prefer Lidl over Aldi.”
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