Discount Retail Chain Aldi USA (German family owned) has opened a new distribution center to support its growth across the Gulf Coast region.
The fast-growing discount grocer unveiled its new regional headquarters and distribution center in Loxley, Alabama, which will ultimately serve as many as 100 Aldi stores across the Gulf Coast. Aldi currently operates 30 stores in the Gulf Coast, having opened 20 stores in the area last year. It plans to add another 13 stores in 2023.
The new 564,000-sq.-ft. (52,000m2) facility is Aldi’s 26th regional headquarters and distribution center and its sixth to be opened in the southern United States. It is designed to support the grocer's rapid expansion in the region, and will support locations across Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle.
The Loxley facility was designed with sustainability top-of-mind and will feature the most efficient design components included in any Aldi facility to date, the company said. These include roof-mounted solar panels, LED lighting, an environmentally friendly refrigeration system and metal panel insulation. The elements all work together to create a thermally tight and efficient building.
The Loxley distribution center will create approximately 200 new jobs in the area with competitive wages and benefits. Aldi has already staffed 120 of these positions and plans to continue hiring.
“At a time when inflation is putting pressure on American wallets, we believe our mission to save people money on the food and products they need is more important than ever," said Heather Moore, Aldi divisional VP for the Loxley region. "We are thrilled to see so much customer love for the 20 stores we've opened in the Gulf Coast area in the last year alone.”
With more than 2,200 stores across 38 states, Aldi ranked as the most popular grocery store, with a popularity score of 65%, according to market research and data analytics firm YouGov, which polled consumers during the fourth quarter of 2022. The grocer has also been No. 1 for price according to the dunnhumby 2023 Retailer Preference Index Report for six years running.
See here for more: Aldi supports Gulf Coast expansion with new regional HQ and DC; plans 100 stores | Chain Store Age
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