Aldi plans to open 100 more stores in 2021, focusing on California, Florida, Arizona and the Northeast.
The company is also expanding its e-commerce services, with grocery pickup expected to be available at 500 more locations by the end of the year, bringing the total number of stores with that option to 1,200.
“We’re incredibly proud to continue growing in all aspects of our business, from opening new stores to enhancing our e-commerce offerings, especially in light of the challenges businesses have faced in the last year,” Jason Hart, CEO of Aldi U.S., said in a news release. “Our commitment to our shoppers, new and existing, is the same — we will do everything in our power to offer the lowest possible prices every day — and we look forward to supporting more communities across the country with amazing Aldi products at a value that can’t be matched.”
Aldi has more than 2,000 stores across 37 states and expects to be the third-largest grocery retailer by store count in the U.S. by the end of 2022. In addition to opening new stores, Aldi has remodeled many of its older locations in recent years.
Headed south
The latest round of expansion for Aldi includes a new regional headquarters and 564,000-square foot distribution center in Loxley, Ala., according to the release. That facility will be one of six in the southern U.S. and will supply up to 100 stores in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and parts of Georgia and Florida.
Aldi expects to open as many as 35 stores in the Gulf Coast area by the end of 2022, with the first ones coming to Tallahassee later this year.
Sustainability
The company’s new distribution center will include solar panels, LED lighting and an environmentally friendly refrigeration system, according to the release.