Aldi Remodels Old While Adding New

Batavia, Ill.-based limited assortment grocer Aldi heavily invests in upgrades of existing stores even as it seeks to add to its store count as a way to keep its operations strong in the face of growing competition.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Aldi U.S., which has more than 1,100 stores in 31 states, about 40 in Chicago and nearly 150 in the Chicago area, has been steadily growing, by sales and locations, for about 30 years, and these upgrades come as it encounters increased competition from other discounters such as Save-A-Lot and Walmart as well as traditional grocers like Jewel and Dominick's, which saw growth in customer counts during the economic downturn.