Aldi will open 120 new U.S. stores this year, maintaining aggressive growth despite many retailers slowing down their expansions in the face of economic uncertainty. The additions will bring Aldi’s U.S. store total to more than 2,400 by the end of 2023 and will span the entire continental U.S., with an emphasis on the Southeast.
The store growth builds on the 139 locations opened or remodeled in 2022, which Aldi credited as contributing to the 9.4 million new customers the grocer attracted that year. Aldi also experienced double-digit sales growth due to shoppers seeking lower prices in a time of inflation.
“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 of Aldi U.S. in a statement. “Our growth is led by our customers, and they continue to want more Aldi locations coast-to-coast.”
As of April 2023, Aldi already has opened 35 new stores and welcomed 5.3 million new customers this year. The retailer also has opened a regional headquarters and distribution center in Loxley, Ala. to help support new stores in the area, including plans to add stores in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La. — both new markets for the grocer.
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The off-price grocer also has been expanding its omnichannel options through a partnership with DoorDash launched in February 2023. Aldi considers its new stores to be part of this omnichannel push, as additional locations increase delivery coverage for its customers.
However, Aldi isn’t the only grocer expanding its presence: Meijer introduced a new, smaller store concept at the beginning of the year, and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has said that the company is preparing to “go big” on grocery despite paring down its other brick-and-mortar offerings.
