ALDI Launches 5-Year Plan for 650 Stores

CHICAGO—The recession hit many middle-market retailers hard, but stores that served lower-income families did relatively well, as millions of families hunted for ways to cut their budgets. And even though the worst of the economic hard times seems past, many of those families still face uncertainty and plan to continue looking for bargains. To capitalize on this, ALDI, the nation’s most popular low-price grocer, has just decided to launch a five-year strategic plan to open 650 new stores. Company officials also say they will build a regional headquarters and distribution center in Moreno Valley, CA.  

Under this strategic plan, Batavia, IL-based ALDI USA will open an average of 130 stores per year, up from an average of 80 in recent years. The company plans to invest more than $3 billion in land, facilities and equipment. And when it completes the expansion, ALDI will serve more than 45 million customers per month.