BATAVIA, IL - Forget lucky number 7, Aldi U.S. has hit lucky number 38. The retailer recently announced that as it moves forward with its plan to open 150 new stores and become the third-largest U.S. grocery chain by store count by the end of the year, it will make Louisiana its 38^th state of operation with a new store in Lafayette.

“There is nothing like watching shoppers discover Aldi for the first time,” said Jason Hart, Chief Executive Officer. “There’s a moment of surprise when they realize just how much they can save by shopping with us. We can’t wait to share that experience with more customers as we add new stores across the Southeast.”

The Lafayette, Louisiana, location will open its doors on February 10, according to a press release. Continuing its expansion, Aldi also plans to open two additional Gulf Coast stores in early March, followed by 20 more locations throughout the region by the end of 2022.

Supporting this growth, Aldi has also revealed plans to open a new 564,000-square-foot regional distribution center in Loxley, Alabama, later on in the year. The facility will eventually serve as a hub for as many as 100 new stores throughout Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle. To service these locations, Aldi is looking to hire approximately 300 store associates and 200 warehouse associates.

As part of this ongoing expansion, the grocer will also be increasing access to convenient online shopping options, which includes extending its Curbside Grocery Pickup offerings from 1,200 to 1,500 stores by year’s end.

With plans already in motion, AndNowUKnow will keep you up to date with Aldi’s expansion and its next moves in the sector.

Aldi