Dive Brief:
- Aldi U.S. announced it finished its previously announced deal to purchase 66 of Delhaize Group's real estate assets, including "the land, buildings and leasehold improvements associated with Delhaize’s recently retired Bottom Dollar Food operation," according to a news release.
- Aldi is planning on reopening 30 Bottom Dollar locations to now wear the Aldi flag.
- These locations include Trenton and Cherry Hill, NJ, as well as various stores in Philadelphia, PA.
Dive Insight:
"Aldi has been offering fresh, affordable groceries in Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey communities for 20 years," says CEO of Aldi Jason Hart, in a statement. "With the completion of this real estate transaction, we are able to ramp up our expansion plans in the region to meet the growing demand for the Aldi difference: high-quality groceries at everyday low prices in an easy-to-shop store."
Aldi announced a growth initiative in December 2013 to launch 650 new stores by 2018's close. According to Supermarket News, it currently has 1,400 stores, so it's not quite at its approximately 2,000-store goal for the U.S. just yet.