Aldi to roll out new digital commerce platform nationally

Batavia, Illinois-based Aldi is working on a new online shopping portal that would drive shoppers through its own channels, rather than solely through third-party platforms.  

The no-frills German discount grocery chain has teamed up with Spryker  to develop a new digital commerce platform for its online food and grocery shopping experience for the U.S. market, the technology company said Tuesday.

Aldi confirmed the partnership but provided few details about the retailer's goals or the future of its relationship with current delivery partner Instacart. 

"Aldi, in partnership with Spryker Systems, is currently testing a new online food and grocery shopping experience with a select group of customers that will be rolled out nationally in a phased approach," Scott Patton, Aldi's VP of national buying, told WGB. "The new digital commerce platform will offer grocery delivery or curbside pickup, providing yet another way for Aldi U.S. shoppers to save time and money."

During this phase of development, Patton added, "Shoppers that are not a part of the test can still seamlessly order grocery delivery or curbside pickup at Shop.Aldi.US, which will be fulfilled by Aldi’s partners at Instacart. We are excited to give our customers another way to access the incredible value they expect from our stores and shopping experience."

Boris Lokschin, co-founder and CEO of Spryker, a privately held technology company headquartered in Berlin and New York, said it has been working to provide a smooth experience for shoppers at the grocery retailer.

“Spryker’s composable and headless commerce platform offers a best-of-breed approach, providing enterprises with the flexibility and scalability needed to adjust to a constantly changing market, accelerating digital growth and transformation, and providing consumers with a more seamless and simple shopping experience,” Lokschin said in a statement.

Aldi 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. Aldi has 2,200 stores across 38 states.