As grocery prices soar, this German grocery chain is conquering America

[mahatmakanejeeves]

As grocery prices soar, this German grocery chain is conquering America

Aldi, known for its no-frills selection and store-brand products, plans to have 3,200 U.S. stores through 2028.

January 24, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. EST


(Elise Amendola/AP)

By Jaclyn Peiser

If you haven’t noticed an Aldi pop up in your area, don’t worry. It’s probably coming.

As grocery bills eat up a greater share of Americans’ wallets, the Germany-based chain — known for its no-frills stores stocked with low-priced name-brand products — isn’t letting off the gas in its U.S. expansion. That’s because the company knows Americans need the store now more than ever, said Chad Lusk, a managing director in Alvarez & Marsal’s consumer and retail group, a global consulting firm.

{snip}

[kerouac2]

1. In and out in minutes too

No kidding, the amount of time I save being able to boot around Aldi to grab groceries and get out fast is as great as the money I save. I can just about finish my whole shopping trip in less time than it would take me just to get milk, bananas and bread at wegmans or price chopper.

[Haggard Celine]

2. We're getting Aldi stores down here now.

I'm glad because Wal-Mart had driven away most of the grocery stores.

[mwmisses4289]

3. They're good for canned, packaged and frozen stuff.

Avoid their so called fresh, quality produce and milk. Their bread and packaged pastries are hit and miss; most times ok, but sometimes moldy.

[eppur_se_muova]

4. One 'popped up' in our neighborhood while I wasn't looking. So far, so good.

There are two Aldi's a fair drive from us, but we've never used either one. Then one day I was driving to the garage for some brake repairs and there was a brand new Aldi's, on a corner that I hadn't driven by in months, but that is closer to us than WalMart and about as far as Kroger's. It's a little hard to find things in a new store, but after 2-3 trips I think I'm done with WalMart (hallelujah* !) It's not perfect, but it's got some really cheap items and an unbelievable selection of cheezes and foodie delights (not that we can afford many of those). The only thing I don't like is that even when I bring my own bags the cashier just tosses it all in a cart (not even the one I'm pushing) and I have to bag it all myself. Well, obviously, that cuts down on the number of employees, but I'm not all that keen on that idea in the first place -- I don't do self-checkout at all, and now I may have to do self-bagging. I used to always buy groceries on the way home after work, and I was too tired and grouchy to ring it up myself -- I DON'T work for the grocery store, and they shouldn't act like I'm expected to.




*I just noticed -- 'Hallelujah' ends in 'Jah'. Can anyone explain the etymology of that for me ?