Aldi, Inc.

Queens, N.Y. -- Discount grocer Aldi said Thursday it will open its first-ever New York City store on Feb. 18. The new store is located in the borough of Queens.

Aldi, which offers a limited assortment of items, said it will bring its standard floorplan to Queens, which includes wider-than-typical 8-ft. aisles.

The Queens store is the first of three grocery stores the company plans to open in the area, including new locations in the Bronx and Bay Shore areas.

The retail industry will grow by 5.1% in 2011, the strongest growth in four years, according to Customer Growth Partners 2011 Forecast and Outlook. The New Canaan, Conn.-based consulting and research firm projects that the industry will create over half a million new jobs in 2011, the most of any employment sector, and that retail sales will reach a record level of almost $2.9 trillion.

By Craig R. Johnson

Sebring, Fla. -- Aldi opened a 17,000-sq.-ft. supermarket in Sebring, Fla., on Thursday.

The new store is Aldi’s 42nd Florida location. The grocery retailer opened its first store in the state in 2008 and, according to the company, will have 47 in Florida by year-end.