Discount Retail Chain Aldi USA wrapped up its acquisition of Southeastern Grocers, giving a boost to its mission to exceed 3,000 store locations by 2028. It currently operates 2,362 stores, a slight increase from February's data. Although its present growth pace falls short of the 800 new stores pledged by 2028, the acquisition is set to inject nearly 400 new locations through Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket banners. The comprehensive strategy includes maintaining existing banners such as Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets, foreseeing an accelerated opening trend moving ahead. They declared a phased conversion plan beginning mid-summer, estimating around 50 stores to transition in late 2024 and the rest in 2025. With this significant acquisition, Aldi is poised to fortify its national standing and emerge as one of the United States' fastest-growing grocers.
Aldi's Projections for Store Expansion
Aldi has set ambitious targets to surpass the 3,000 store mark by 2028, with the current store count standing at 2,362 as of March 12. The recent acquisition of Southeastern Grocers, incorporating Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket banners, is projected to elevate the total store count by as many as 400 locations. Aldi looks forward to opening about 50 new stores during the latter part of 2024, expecting the majority of them to be rebranded as Aldi by 2025. This strategic expansion highlights Aldi's commitment to become one of the nation's fastest-growing grocers, underpinning its national growth strategy.
Kroger's Store Count and Uncertainties of Expansion
As of March 12, Kroger and its various banners, such as Harris Teeter, King Soopers, Mariano’s, and more, were reported to be just under 3,000 stores, as determined by data from ScrapeHero. With the ongoing litigation surrounding the potential acquisition of Albertsons, the approval for Kroger’s store count expansion remains uncertain. Regardless of the outcome of this lawsuit and the possibility of merging with Albertsons, Kroger's potential for store count expansion remains in question. However, should Aldi continue its swift strategy of opening stores, it could rapidly ascend into the ranks of the nation’s largest supermarket chains.
The Grocery Store Retail Race
Walmart currently holds the lead with an extensive fleet of 4,618 U.S. stores as of March 18. This towering number serves as a striking comparison to the store count projections and recent acquisitions of both Aldi and Kroger. The overwhelming difference in store count underlines the fiercely competitive landscape within the industry. Aldi's expansion strategy and Kroger's potential acquisitions showcase the fervent pace of growth in an endeavor to keep stride with industry giants.
