Bill Hanifin

Aldi Not Messin' Around in Texas

March 10, 2010

FROM RETAILWIRE:
Limited assortment grocer Aldi plans to open its first 27 stores in Texas this spring as part of the chain's aggressive growth strategy in markets across the country. How is Aldi affecting how other grocers go to market in the U.S.?      [more...]

The opportunity for Aldi is significant not just in Texas but across the US.

From my experience, the stores do not offer a wide enough range of product (meats and produce) to make it a one-stop shop, but is very attractive for "targeted" shopping for canned goods and the like.

In Western New York markets where Wegmans and Topps are dominant, Aldi is making noise. To my understanding they have entered the Northeastern Ohio market as well and may split market share away from Whole Foods and Heinen's for staples.

While some might relegate Aldi's to low price competition with Walmart, remember that the chain is owned by the same German group that purchased Trader Joe's, a grocery chain that thrives on customer service.

Aldi is one to watch.