ALDI Launches Accelerated Growth Strategy to Operate Nearly 2,000 US Stores By 2018

BATAVIA, Ill., December 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ALDI, the nation's leading low-price grocer, today announced a  five-year strategic plan to open 650 new stores across the nation. The grocery retailer launched its expansion efforts with the decision to build its regional headquarters and distribution center in Moreno Valley, Calif.

To reach its aggressive goal, over the next five years, ALDI plans to accelerate the pace of new store openings to an average of 130 per year, up from an average of 80 stores per year in recent years. ALDI also is planning to invest more than $3 billion to pay for land, facilities and equipment. When the expansion is complete, ALDI will have stores coast-to-coast and anticipates serving more than 45 million customers per month. The expansion is expected to create more than 10,000 new jobs at ALDI stores, warehouses and division offices. Additionally, the company's growth is expected to have a positive economic impact on its long-term supplier-partners, as well as provide opportunities for new supplier-partners as ALDI expands its footprint.

"We're ramping up our expansion plans to meet growing demand for ALDI from customers across the country," said Jason Hart, president, ALDI. "Recently, we successfully entered new markets such as Houston, and expanded our presence in competitive markets like South Florida and New York City. At ALDI, we believe that great quality can be affordable, and we are eager to bring the ALDI difference to new markets like Southern California."

Growth is accelerating at ALDI due to the appeal of its unique business model that lets smart shoppers save up to 50 percent* on more than 1,300 of the most commonly purchased grocery items, including nearly 70 varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables, without the hassle of clipping coupons or buying in bulk. In fact, ALDI recently was named the leading low-price grocery store for the third consecutive year.**

Since opening its first store in 1976, ALDI has achieved measured, but steady, growth entirely through organic expansion. Today, ALDI has nearly 1,300 stores across 32 states and employs more than 18,000 people, making it the 25th largest grocer in the nation according to Supermarket News. More than 25 million customers each month benefit from the company's simple and streamlined approach to grocery retailing. Additionally, ALDI has a strong track record as an employer of choice, offering its employees generous compensation, including benefits, which are above industry standard. 

"When we open a new store, word of mouth about the amazing quality and freshness of the products available at ALDI spreads quickly from loyal shoppers to friends and neighbors. While new customers are sometimes surprised that ALDI doesn't look or feel like other grocery stores, once they learn how our efficiencies directly impact their savings at the register, they embrace the ALDI way of grocery shopping," added Hart.

ALDI generates savings for its customers through a low-overhead, focused approach that includes:

• Volume purchasing: By concentrating its full buying power on 1,300 of the most commonly purchased grocery items in the most common size, ALDI secures sizable discounts.
• Exclusive brand products: More than 90 percent of products at ALDI are their own exclusive brands rather than national brands.
  • In the ALDI Test Kitchen, ALDI ensures that its products meet or exceed the quality and taste of national name brands.
  • All ALDI food products are backed by the Double Guarantee. If for any reason a customer is not 100 percent satisfied with any ALDI food product, ALDI will gladly replace the product AND refund the purchase price.
• Special Buys: Each week, ALDI offers 20-30 food and non-food products at a great value that include everything from small kitchen appliances and seasonal items to outdoor furniture and gardening tools.
• No hidden costs: ALDI has a streamlined approach that avoids non-essential services such as banking, pharmacies, check cashing and bagging clerks. Those savings result in lower prices for consumers.

In addition to its low prices, ALDI has been recognized for having high customer satisfaction that leads its customers to recommend ALDI to friends and family. For example, the 2013 Market Force "Delight Index" placed ALDI among such industry leaders as Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and Publix.**

"We've updated our new store design to be brighter and more welcoming than ever before," said Hart. "And we continue to increase our healthy food options, including fresh produce, meats, dairy and baked goods. Our Fit & Active line offers a number of foods that have less fat and sodium, and fewer calories, and we are preparing to introduce our new SimplyNature line of natural and organic foods. With everything we have to offer, it's no surprise to us that more and more people are discovering that they don't have to sacrifice quality and taste to save money by shopping at ALDI."

About ALDI Inc.
A leader in the grocery retailing industry, ALDI operates nearly 1,300 stores in 32 states, primarily from Kansas to the East Coast. More than 25 million customers each month save up to 50 percent^* on their grocery bills, benefiting from the ALDI simple and streamlined approach to retailing. ALDI sells more than 1,300 of the most commonly purchased grocery items, primarily under its exclusive brands, which must meet or exceed the national name brands on taste and quality. ALDI is so confident in the quality of its products, the company offers a Double Guarantee: If for any reason a customer is not 100 percent satisfied with any ALDI food product, ALDI will gladly replace the product and refund the purchase price. For more information about ALDI, visit www.aldi.us.

*Based upon a price comparison of comparable products sold at leading national retail grocery stores.

**Consumers view ALDI as the affordable price leader among leading grocers, according to Market Force Information. The surveys were conducted among more than 6,000 consumers across the United States and Canada in March 2011, March 2012 and May 2013.

SOURCE ALDI Inc.

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