While many retailers make plans to permanently close stores amid the coronavirus pandemic, a grocery store chain is planning to expand. The discount grocer announced Tuesday that it now has more than 2,000 U.S. locations across 36 states and has plans to open more than 70 new stores by the end of the year, including its first Arizona locations.
The grocery store will open four locations in 2020.
“As we continue to expand, we promise to do everything in our power to offer the lowest prices, every day, without exception,” Jason Hart, ALDI U.S. CEO, said in a news release. “In fact, as food costs are rising across the country, we’re lowering prices on hundreds of items to meet our customers’ increased need for savings.”
Aldi U.S. is part of a privately held German company, Aldi Sud, which opened its first U.S. stores in 1976. The chain caters to value-conscious customers with private label brands that cost less and have initiated penny-pinching business strategies, such as requiring customers to make deposits to get shopping carts to eliminate the need for employees to collect them in the parking lot. Shoppers will need a quarter to get a shopping cart. Once the cart is returned to the proper area, customers will get a quarter back. Stores have a smaller footprint and a more limited variety of items, which help drives down costs.
The franchise plans to open stores at the following locations this year:
November 2020: 2844 S. Alma School Road, Chandler
November 2020: 24665 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria
December 2020: 845 N. Estrella Parkway, Goodyear
December 2020: 1801 Pecos Road, Gilbert
The four new Aldi stores are expected bring 90 jobs to the valley. Click here to apply for a job.
