Aldi

ALDI is an international discount grocery retailer that operates a network of limited-assortment supermarkets focused on private-label products, efficient store layouts, and consistently low prices. Originating in Germany and now active in multiple continents, the company serves value-oriented shoppers through compact stores that emphasize speed, efficiency, and a curated assortment of everyday essentials. In the United States, ALDI runs thousands of locations that anchor neighborhood and strip centers, drawing frequent, convenience-driven trips.

The business traces its roots to a family-owned grocery shop in Essen, Germany that dates back to 1913, with the modern ALDI format emerging in 1946 when brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht took over the store and began developing a hard-discount model. The brand name ALDI, short for “Albrecht Discount,” was adopted in the early 1960s as the company refined its focus on streamlined operations and private-label products. Over time, the enterprise split into two sister groups, ALDI Nord and ALDI Süd, which today coordinate a global footprint while maintaining separate ownership and regional responsibilities.

In the U.S. market, ALDI Süd operates under the ALDI banner from a headquarters in Batavia, Illinois, overseeing a growing store base that now reaches into dozens of states. Stores generally feature a smaller footprint than traditional supermarkets, limited in-aisle merchandising, and a smaller SKU count designed to turn quickly and support sharp pricing. The format has gained traction among cost-conscious households and increasingly among middle-income shoppers who are trading down or cross-shopping mainstream grocers.

As of mid-2025, ALDI USA operates on the order of several thousand stores across well over thirty states, supported by a regional distribution network and ongoing investments in remodels and new market entries. Expansion has pushed the banner beyond its Midwestern core into the South, Mid-Atlantic, and selected coastal markets, with an emphasis on infill within existing metros and selective entry into new DMAs with strong population growth. The chain continues to refine its mix with perishables, private-label innovation, and limited seasonal or rotating “finds” that drive traffic and impulse visits.

For commercial real estate stakeholders, ALDI represents a stable, privately held, creditworthy anchor that prefers long-term control of its locations, either through ownership or structured site control. The chain’s smaller prototype, consistent branding, and strong weekly traffic patterns make it a reliable driver of daily-needs visits in neighborhood centers and redevelopment sites. Landlords value ALDI’s disciplined rollout strategy, clear store economics, and willingness to invest in modern, energy-efficient buildings, which together can enhance center performance and support surrounding tenant mix.