Aldi US is kicking off its 50th anniversary year with a significant growth strategy that promises to bring more “Aldi finds,” and more fresh produce bins, to neighborhoods across the country.
The discount grocer plans to open more than 180 new stores in 2026, spanning 31 states. The expansion is part of a broader $9-billion, five-year capital investment aimed at reaching a total of 3,200 stores nationwide by the end of 2028.
“One in three U.S. households shopped at Aldi this past year, and in 2026 we’re focused on making it even easier for customers to shop our aisles first,” says Atty McGrath, CEO of Aldi U.S. “That means bringing Aldi to even more neighborhoods, upgrading our website and planning additional distribution centers to keep our shelves stocked with the products our shoppers love.”
Bringing Aldi to More U.S. Neighborhoods
Aldi is building on its momentum with expansion in key U.S. markets, including:
- Maine: In 2026, Aldi will enter Maine as its 40th state in the U.S., opening in the city of Portland to bring value to Maine shoppers.
- Colorado: Aldi is announcing expansion plans into the state of Colorado within the next five years, with more than 50 stores planned for Denver and Colorado Springs markets supported by an accompanying distribution center.
- Phoenix: As Aldi continues its westward expansion, the grocer will open 10 new stores in the Phoenix market in 2026, with plans to add a total of 40 new stores in the market by the end of 2030.
- Las Vegas: After debuting four successful stores in 2025, the grocer will continue to deepen its presence in the growing market with plans to double its current store count by 2030.
- The Southeast: Aldi plans to continue its Southeast expansion in 2026 by converting close to 80 Southeastern Grocers locations to the Aldi format. Since acquiring Southeastern Grocers in 2024, Aldi has converted and opened nearly 90 stores, with plans to convert more than 200 in total by the end of 2027.
To support this surge, Aldi is bolstering its logistical backbone with three new distribution centers planned through 2029 in:
- Baldwin, Fla. (2027)
- Goodyear, Ariz. (2028)
- Aurora, Colo. (2029)
A Boost for Fresh Perishables
In a move that signals Aldi’s increasing focus on the fresh department, the company is expanding its distribution center in Haines City, Fla. The upgrade includes a new dedicated chilled center for perishable foods. According to an Aldi spokesperson, this investment is specifically designed to allow Aldi to deliver a higher volume of fresh produce and meats to its rapidly growing Southeast customer base.
“As ALDI grows, we’re always thinking about what shoppers want from our produce aisle — and making sure it’s available — no matter what store they visit,” a spokesperson said in an email.
“That’s why we’re expanding refrigerated capacity in Haines City, Fla., as we seek to service the fast-growing Southeast region with fresh products — from peak-season produce to meat, cheese and bread. Increasing distribution capacity means we can deliver on our shoppers’ craving for more flavorful everyday produce — whether they’re reaching for their favorites like Autumn Crisp grapes, or something new like our exclusive varieties, including Erandy Blackberries,” the spokesperson says.
The Southeast remains a core focus for the retailer following its 2024 acquisition of Southeastern Grocers. In 2026 alone, Aldi plans to convert approximately 80 Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie locations to the Aldi format.
Digital and In-Store Evolution
The 2026 push isn’t just about physical footprints. Aldi is launching a redesigned website early this year, featuring shoppable recipes and enhanced nutritional information to capture the growing “online-first” grocery demographic.
The retailer is also rolling out its largest-ever packaging refresh, placing the Aldi name prominently on all private-label items to reinforce its commitment to quality, including its strict “no certified synthetic colors” policy.
With its increased footprint, by the end of 2026, Aldi says it will operate a total store count of nearly 2,800, pushing it closer to its goal of 3,200 stores by the end of 2028. The growth plans are the company’s answer to sustained demand for its simple, affordable shopping experience, with 17 million new customers visiting stores in 2025. Aldi is also sharing plans to make shopping online even more seamless for U.S. customers in 2026 with a new digital experience.
“These strategic investments are all about making sure customers can continue to count on us for the quality, affordable groceries and enjoyable shopping experience they love,” McGrath. says. “As we look ahead to our next 50 years in the U.S., we’ll continue to earn shopper loyalty by staying true to what’s made Aldi successful: keeping things simple and delivering real value.”
