Aldi has announced an ‘aggressive’ investment of $1.6 billion in its US stores, with an ambitious plan to remodel and expand more than 1,300 by 2020.
The move comes as more Americans shop in its grocery stores, and follows just one day after the German retailer became the fifth largest supermarket in the UK.
The new Aldi stores will provide a more modern and convenient shopping experience with a focus on fresh items, including more robust produce, dairy and bakery sections. In the last few years, Aldi has added a number of new product lines as consumer spending patterns change, introducing new ranges of gluten-free and organic food as well as a full line of premium baby products.
The remodelled stores will also feature a modern design and use environmentally friendly building materials.
“With this significant investment in our stores, what we’re really doing is continuing to invest in Aldi customers,” said Jason Hart, CEO of Aldi US. “We’re continuing to expand our fresh offerings, which means we need to provide more space for produce, meat, and bakery items. We’ve also made a number of improvements to our products, such as removing added MSG, certified synthetic colours and partially hydrogenated oils from all of our Aldi exclusive brand foods. But one thing that hasn’t changed is that our customers still save money on the groceries they buy the most.”
Aldi now serves more than 40 million customers in the US every month – nearly 60% more than in 2013. Improvements that the retailer has made in its premium line-ups, additions to its everyday ranges, and more brands accommodating to free-from diets have helped the discounter to continue its assault on traditional retail.
Hart continued: “Aldi customers know we stand out from our competitors for a reason: we offer high-quality, affordable food that they can feel good about serving their families. Our unmatched combination of exceptional quality and everyday low prices is why we’re one of the fastest growing retailers in the US, currently operating in 35 states.”
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