Discount supermarket chain Aldi is continuing its aggressive expansion across the U.S., with plans to add approximately 150 new stores to a fleet that already includes 2,100 locations in 37 states. With the new additions, Aldi is on track to edge out Albertsons as the third-largest grocer in the U.S. by store count.
Louisiana will become the retailer’s 38th state of operation when it opens its new store in Lafayette on Feb. 10, 2022. Two additional stores will open in the Gulf Coast region in early March, and 20 stores will be added throughout the region by year end.
To support its growth in the area, Aldi also will open a 564,000-square-foot regional distribution center in Loxley, Ala. later this year. The facility will eventually support as many as 100 new stores throughout Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle, creating nearly 500 new jobs (approximately 300 store associates and 200 warehouse associates).
Aldi also plans to increase its number of locations offering curbside pickup from 1,200 to 1,500 by the end of 2022.
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“There is nothing like watching shoppers discover Aldi for the first time,” said Jason Hart, CEO of Aldi U.S. in a statement. “There’s a moment of surprise when they realize just how much they can save by shopping with us. We can’t wait to share that experience with more customers as we add new stores across the Southeast.”
