Aldi acquires multiple locations from bankrupt retail chain

When one door closes, another door opens. Or in Aldi’s case, when a company goes bankrupt and storefronts are left without an owner, it must act fast in its self-interest.

It comes down to “survival of the fittest,” so if one retailer is strong enough to outlive the rest and defy the odds amid a consumer slowdown, no one can stop that company from multiplying. 

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Aldi is a popular German-based grocery store chain known for its low prices and generous discounts, two of Americans’ must-haves when shopping for groceries and daily necessities.

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The European grocery chain knows how to spot an opportunity, and when it sees one, it’s quick to act on it. 

Hence, Aldi decided to expand to the U.S. in 1976 and is now concidered one of America’s fastest-growing grocery retailers, with over 2,500 locations nationwide.

Aldi unveils updates on its U.S. expansion plans.

Image source: Shutterstock

Aldi unveils massive expansion plans in the U.S. 

Aldi U.S. unveiled a massive five-year growth plan last year, where it will invest $9 billion to expand its footprint across more states. The company aims to add 800 locations by the end of 2028 by revamping existing stores and opening new ones.

This year, Aldi aims to open over 225 new locations. It looks to be on track with its goal, because in March of last year, it acquired around 400 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets locations that it will convert into Aldi-format stores.

Related: Bankrupt retailer to reopen over 100 stores, locations revealed

The grocery store chain has hit the ground running this year, opening two new locations in Las Vegas for the first time in April, with plans to open two more and build stores in Arizona and Southern California. 

However, that’s not all, because Aldi made another major business move that will grow its footprint even more. 

Aldi purchases locations from a bankrupt retailer

Aldi has acquired three storefronts that Big Lots  (BIG)  formerly occupied. These locations include Denham Springs, Los Angeles; Taylor, Michigan; and Nacogdoches, Texas, according to filings on May 9.

Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September of last year, citing the slowdown in consumer spending and increased costs due to rising inflation. By the end of 2024, the retailer had nearly 1,400 stores and was now looking for a new owner.

After a failed acquisition in December when Nexus Capital Management pulled out of the deal at the last minute, causing the retailer to initiate a liquidation process, Big Lots landed a deal with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners in January. 

This agreement enabled Variety Wholesalers to acquire between 200 and 400 Big Lots stores and two distribution centers, which it planned to continue operating under the Big Lots brand. 

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Although the retailer has been reopening locations over the past few months, with more stores reopening in the upcoming weeks, many storefronts were still left empty due to the bankruptcy filing. 

Nonetheless, Aldi has proven it isn’t afraid to overtake Big Lots’ former locations to pursue its massive expansion plans.   

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