Aldi 2022 Expansion Plans Include 150 New Stores, Entry Into Louisiana

Over the past decade, no-frills German discount grocery chain Aldi has opened more than 1,000 stores across the U.S. in multiple states—and now that number is about to go up.

The Batavia, Ill.-based chain said it plans to open approximately 150 new stores this year, putting it on track to become the third-largest U.S. grocery retailer by store count by the end of 2022. It will also open its first store in Louisiana, which will become the 38th state the company operates in. The Louisiana store will open Feb. 10 in Lafayette.

“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.” 

The discount grocer said it also plans to open two more Gulf Coast stores in early March, along with 20 additional stores throughout the region by year-end.  

Aldi said it will also open a new 564,000-square-foot regional distribution center in Loxley, Ala., later this year, which will aim to support approximately 100 new stores throughout Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle. Aldi is looking to hire approximately 300 store associates and 200 warehouse associates in the area.

Looking to create a seamless shopping experience, the German hard-discount brand said it plans to expand its curbside grocery pickup offering from 1,200 to 1,500 stores by the end of the year.

Aldi has more than 2,100 stores across the United States, and according to new data from Placer.ai foot traffic for Aldi soared 7.5% quarter over quarter, 8.6% year over year and 20% vs. the fourth quarter of 2019.