International discount grocer to open in NYC

Aldi, a Trader Joe sibling that operates more than 1,000 locations across the country, is building its first city store in Queens.

Aldi, a discount supermarket chain head quartered in Batavia, Ill., is building its first store in the city in Queens. The chain, a sister unit of popular discounter Trader Joe's, has begun hiring managers for the outpost, which is expected to open early next year.

With more than 1,000 stores in the U.S., Aldi's debut here will ramp up grocery competition.

“They shake up a market,” said supermarket consultant Burt Flickinger. “And they don't come in with just one store. They'll open five, then 10 and 15.”

A spokeswoman for Aldi, whose owners Theo and Karl Albrecht also own Trader Joe's, declined to say where in Queens the store is being built.

Mr. Flickinger said Aldi stores are generally located near other big discounters, such as Wal-Mart.

Aldi is known for its store-branded merchandise, with about 95% of the items exclusive to Aldi. According to the company, Aldi's prices are up to 50% lower than the prices at traditional supermarkets. Ranked 25th among U.S. grocery chains in gross sales, Aldi's Queens' store is part of a larger expansion plan, under which the company is opening some 80 new stores this year.

The company started in Germany, where it operates about 2,500 stores. There are also Aldi stores in 17 other European countries.



Source: crainsnewyork.com

Publication date: 9/22/2009

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