Aldi details big U.S. expansion plans for 2023
Aldi continues to live up to its reputation as the nation’s fastest-growing grocer.
The discount grocer will open 120 new stores this year, giving it a total of more than 2,400 locations nationwide by the end of the year. The expansion — already underway with 35 stores opened in the first quarter — will span the continental U.S., including the fast-growing Southeast region where Aldi recently opened its 26th regional headquarters and distribution center, in Loxley, Ala.
Aldi will open stores in two new markets this year, with locations planned for Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
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The 2023 expansion builds on a banner 2022, during which Aldi opened and remodeled 139 stores. The company said it welcomed approximately 9.4 million new customers and drove double-digit growth year-over-year.
As part of its expansion, Aldi will add nearly 2,000 new employees to support the additional store count.
“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, Aldi U.S. “Our growth is led by our customers, and they continue to want more Aldi locations coast-to-coast.”
Sustainability
As part of its larger commitment to sustainability, the grocer is also enhancing new and existing stores with eco-friendly features. These include installing rooftop solar panels and eliminating plastic shopping bags.
Aldi is also implementing environmentally friendly refrigerants in its stores, an important move to reduce carbon emissions that earned the grocer recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Chill program. (Aldi secured more EPA GreenChill store certifications in 2020 and 2021 than all U.S. grocery retailers combined.)
Earlier this year, Aldi launched on-demand delivery via DoorDash at nearly all of its store locations across 38 states. Customers can place grocery orders on-demand from local Aldi stores via the DoorDash marketplace app or website.
Aldi is no stranger to offering online delivery and curbside pickup services. In October 2022, the company began partnering with digital commerce platform Spryker Systems to develop a new online food and grocery shopping experience for the U.S. market, offering grocery delivery or curbside pickup for its U.S. shoppers.