--- title: "High Inflation Benefits \"Discount Supermarkets\"! Aldi Surges Ahead, with US Market Share Growth Rivaling Walmart and Costco" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/290263641.md" description: "High inflation is driving US consumers toward budget-friendly shopping. German discount supermarket chain Aldi is leveraging this trend to accelerate its expansion, opening a new store every few days as it marches toward its goal of 3,200 stores by 2028. With streamlined operations and low-priced private-label products, its market share growth now rivals giants like Walmart and Costco. Last year, its revenue reached $30 billion, posting double-digit growth despite headwinds. Although facing trademark infringement disputes and limitations as a one-stop shopping destination, Aldi is making a strong impact on the US grocery retail landscape with a long-term strategic approach" datetime: "2026-06-19T03:15:59.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/290263641.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/290263641.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/290263641.md) --- # High Inflation Benefits "Discount Supermarkets"! Aldi Surges Ahead, with US Market Share Growth Rivaling Walmart and Costco Persistent food inflation is profoundly reshaping the US retail landscape, with German discount supermarket chain Aldi emerging as a primary beneficiary of this structural adjustment. According to the Financial Times, the private discount retail giant is accelerating its expansion by opening a new store every few days, including a new location on 42nd Street in Manhattan this week. Data from Morgan Stanley shows that **Aldi's US market share growth now rivals that of top retailers such as Walmart, Sam's Club, and Costco Wholesale**. Scott Patton, Chief Commercial Officer of Aldi US, stated, "We have no ceiling; our goal is to capture share from all grocery sales channels." Supported by a $9 billion investment plan, Aldi is going all out to expand in the US market, aiming to open 3,200 stores by 2028, with a long-term vision of approximately 4,000 locations. As its store count is poised to surpass Kroger (the second-largest grocery retailer in the US after Walmart) in the coming months, Aldi's impact on the US grocery retail landscape will further intensify. ## Accelerated Expansion, Store Count Targeting Kroger Aldi currently operates 2,671 stores in the US and is maintaining a pace of opening a new store every few days. The next phase identifies Colorado, Arizona, and Florida as core expansion regions, with plans to add 50 new stores in Colorado alone. Dan Gavin, Vice President of National Real Estate at Aldi, commented, "In the US, we see more than 4,000 opportunities for new stores, possibly even more." According to Morgan Stanley estimates, Aldi's US revenue last year was approximately $30 billion. Although this is still less than half the scale of the Albertsons supermarket chain, it maintained double-digit growth against the backdrop of weak overall food sales in the US. Data from Kearney further indicates that **Aldi currently accounts for only 4% of total US grocery spending, suggesting considerable room for future growth.** ## The Efficiency Revolution Behind Low Prices **Aldi's core competitiveness stems from its highly streamlined operating model.** Stores typically employ only about six staff members, merchandise is displayed in original shipping boxes, and shopping carts operate on a coin-deposit system refunded upon return. The operational costs saved are directly translated into highly competitive shelf prices—for example, macaroni sells for just 59 cents, and cookies are priced at $2.19. Nearly 90% of its products are private-label brands, generally priced lower than comparable national brands. As a private company, Aldi can prioritize long-termism, choosing market share over short-term profits. This strategy has proven successful in Europe: after entering the UK market in 1990, Aldi experienced substantial growth following the 2008 financial crisis and now holds a 10.8% share of the UK grocery market. Adam Ifshin, CEO of shopping center operator DLC Management, compared Aldi's business philosophy to the frugality of Walmart founder Sam Walton, describing it as "taking the essence of Walmart back to Germany and refining it." ## Private Label Faces Infringement Controversies, Confronting the "One-Stop Shop" Dilemma **Aldi's private-label strategy has also sparked legal disputes.** Food giant Mondelez International has filed a lawsuit, alleging that Aldi's product packaging "blatantly copies" brands such as Oreo cookies and Wheat Thins. Aldi countered that Mondelez had only expressed concerns privately for years without taking action, effectively constituting acquiescence. Currently, Aldi is rolling out redesigned packaging and seeking a settlement with Mondelez based on recent court notifications. Regarding market prospects, **analysts remain cautious about whether Aldi can replicate its European success in the US.** Mirko Warschun, Senior Partner at Kearney, pointed out that US consumers place greater emphasis on one-stop shopping and category variety, which may limit Aldi's market share ceiling. In response, Scott Patton, Chief Commercial Officer of Aldi US, candidly acknowledged the positioning limitations: "We will not become a one-stop shopping destination. Customers can come to us to buy 80% to 90% of what they need, and go elsewhere for the rest." This pragmatic statement highlights Aldi's clear understanding of the characteristics of the US market behind its rapid expansion. ### Related Stocks - [COST.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/COST.US.md) - [WMT.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/WMT.US.md) - [COTG.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/COTG.US.md) - [COSW.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/COSW.US.md) - [MS.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MS.US.md) - [KR.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/KR.US.md) - [ACI.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ACI.US.md) - [MDLZ.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MDLZ.US.md) - [MS-O.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MS-O.US.md) - [MS-Q.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MS-Q.US.md) - [MS-E.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MS-E.US.md) - [MS-I.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MS-I.US.md) - [MS-L.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MS-L.US.md) - [MS-P.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MS-P.US.md) - [MS-A.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MS-A.US.md) - [MS-F.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MS-F.US.md) - [MS-K.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MS-K.US.md) ## Related News & Research - [17:37 ETFØRTE Arrives at Costco Texas Warehouses -- 10g of Protein Never Tasted So Good](https://longbridge.com/en/news/290249539.md) - [Walmart pivots to wealthy shoppers as inflation bites](https://longbridge.com/en/news/290222026.md) - [Hong Kong shoppers chase bargains despite Sam’s Club food safety probe](https://longbridge.com/en/news/289863987.md) - [Walmart Insider Trade Alert: Walton Family Bags Over $500M in Shares Sale](https://longbridge.com/en/news/290303191.md) - [Costco Stock (COST) Drops as Analysts Can't Agree on the Big-Box Retailer](https://longbridge.com/en/news/290235725.md)