Aldi Looks to Expand in Northeast

JON SPRINGER

BATAVIA, Ill. — Aldi plans to open more than 75 stores in 2009, including the discounter's first location in New York City, a spokeswoman for the chain told SN last week.

Aldi declined to identify specific locations, but said it was looking in the boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens or Staten Island to locate its first New York store. The location would be part of a four- to six-store expansion of the retailer's Center Valley, Pa., division during 2009, including a new store in Philadelphia, where Aldi currently operates five stores. The division currently has 47 locations in the Northeast.

Nationwide, Aldi expects to surpass the 1,000-store mark early this year, said the spokeswoman, Tina-Marie Adams.

“Of the at least 75 stores Aldi plans to open this year, a significant concentration will be in Central Florida, the Northeast, and Midwestern cities such as St. Louis,” Adams said. “More broadly, we'll continue to expand in the 29 states where we currently have a presence.”

The company is planning an expansion into Texas in 2010.