THE RETAILER has introduced four major changes to the grocery chain in an effort to keep up with its competition.
Consumers who appreciate Aldi’s budget-friendly selection hope that not too much changes.
1
EXPANSION
The retailer is planning to open 800 new stores by 2028.
The new locations will be focused in the Northeast, Midwest, and West.
New Aldi stores will open in cities like Las Vegas for the first time. In 2025, new stores will open in 13 states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
The added stores will increase the brand’s presence to around 3,000 locations – trailing behind Walmart which has nearly 5,000 store locations.
CONVERTING SISTER STORES
In 2024, Aldi acquired Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s grocery stores.
As part of the retailer’s massive expansion, some of these “sister stores” will be converted to new Aldi locations. Nearly 50 have already been converted and will open in 2025.
Aldi hasn’t confirmed any upcoming changes for Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s locations that continue to operate under the Aldi umbrella.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
Aldi also announced that it will be eliminating plastic bags in all of its US stores in 2024.
Leading up to this, the store began charging customers for each bag to encourage shoppers to buy reusable bags or bring some from home.
Aldi announced its plan to have 100% of its private-label packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable by the end of the year — and it passed the 75% benchmark toward this goal this year.
By the end of 2025, the grocery retailer also wants to reduce its private-label packaging overall and add more recycled content to its plastic packaging.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
To work towards sustainability, the retailer said it plans to launch various projects to “help suppliers reduce emissions and its many global markets are encouraged to buy products locally” when possible to help reduce the carbon footprint of deliveries, as reported by Mashed.
Consumers feel that, in many grocery stores, choosing fair-trade produce or opting for sustainable, certified products can jack up their grocery bill.
But Aldi plans to standardize sustainable options while keeping its “budget-friendly” reputation.
Aldi’s 4 Big Changes in 2025
The retailer has introduced four big changes to the grocery chain to catch up to its competition.
- Aggressive expansion
- Converting its sister stores (Winn-Dixie & Harveys Supermarkets)
- Introducing environmentally-friendly packaging
- Standardizing sustainable products
About 90% of the products Aldi sells are exclusive to the store, meaning the retailer is very familiar with its own manufacturing process and supply chain.
Aldi shoppers are optimistic about the new changes but hope that its overall appeal remains the same.
Some consumers have already noticed differences in some stores.
“It’s all fun and games until your usual Aldi completely changes its layout and you can no longer find the croutons,” tweeted one shopper.
Meanwhile, the retailer confirms it will close all 2,458 locations in the US for an entire day – make sure you have alternative plans.
And Aldi issues apology for not meeting “expectations” after shopper slams dairy product with “word to the wise” warning.
