More than 1,000 new Aldi stores have opened throughout the U.S. over the past decade, offering more customers a fast and affordable shopping experience, says the retailer.
Aldi plans to open approximately 150 new stores in hopes of becomiong the third-largest U.S. grocery retailer by store count by the end of this year.
"There is nothing like watching shoppers discover Aldi for the first time," said Jason Hart, CEO of Aldi U.S., in a statement. "There's a moment of surprise when they realize just how much they can save by shopping with us. We can't wait to share that experience with more customers as we add new stores across the Southeast."
The company will count Louisiana as its 38th state of operation when it welcomes shoppers to its Lafayette store on Feb. 10. Aldi plans to open two more Gulf Coast stores in early March, along with 20 additional stores throughout the region by year-end.
The grocer will also open a 564,000-square-foot regional distribution center in Loxley, Alabama, later this year, which will eventually support as many as 100 new stores throughout Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle.
Aldi will hire approximately 300 store associates and 200 warehouse associates to support its growth in the region.
Related: Aldi Opens Brooklyn Location; Q&A: Hy-Vee Talks Expansion, Lessons Learned.