Ever wondered where you'll find the highest concentration of Aldi stores in the USA? Look no further than Illinois, the reigning champion with a whopping 212 stores as of mid-September 2024. That's just a single store ahead of Florida, its closest competitor.
Interestingly, while Illinois boasts large cities like Chicago, only 73 Aldi stores reside in these urban areas. The remaining 139 stores are scattered across the suburbs, suggesting a focus on accessibility beyond major city centers.
This dominance makes perfect sense considering Aldi's U.S. headquarters are located in Batavia, a Chicago suburb. Beyond corporate offices, Batavia features a test kitchen and the Aldi Insight Center – a model store and the heart of Aldi U.S. operations. They even hosted a wedding there in 2022!
Florida on the Rise:
While Illinois holds the current crown, Florida is hot on its heels with 211 stores. Soon, the Sunshine State might steal the top spot. Between 2023 and 2024, Aldi plans to add over 520 stores in the US, primarily along the southeastern Gulf Coast.
This rapid expansion is fueled by Aldi's acquisition of many southern stores owned by Southeastern Grocers, mainly Winn-Dixie locations. Approximately 400 stores will be converted into Aldis, boosting Florida's total to 510 – nearly double what Illinois currently has!
A Nuance to the Florida Boom:
However, not all acquired stores will become Aldis. Some will retain their original branding. So, the actual Aldi presence in Florida might be less pervasive than the sheer number suggests.
The Other Side of the Coin:
While reports suggest Aldi's growth is impressive, some areas remain Aldi-less. Smaller states like Rhode Island, Delaware, and New Hampshire each have only nine stores, and Vermont has a mere three. Additionally, twelve states, including Hawaii, Alaska, and much of the West (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming), currently lack any Aldi presence.
Surprisingly, even some larger states like North and South Dakota (combined total of eight stores), Arizona (11 stores), and Texas (126 stores, despite having double Illinois' population), have a relatively low number of Aldis. California, with three times Illinois' population, has only 99 stores.
Hope for the Aldi-Less:
The acquisition of Southeastern Grocers stores should bring more Aldis to the Gulf States. But even if you're currently without an Aldi, fret not! With their rapid expansion, the low-cost grocery giant might be closer than you think.
