German Grocery Giant Aldi Plans RivCo Store Openings

The big German discount supermarket chain Aldi announced plans Tuesday to open some 45 stores employing more than 1,100 people in Southern California by the end of the year.

The first eight are scheduled to open March 24, with each holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony that day, the company said in a statement.

“The opening of ALDI in California marks a significant achievement in the company’s five-year strategic plan to open 650 new stores across the nation. By the end of 2018, ALDI expects to operate nearly 2,000 stores,” the statement said. 

ALDI, whose headquarters are in Essen, now operates nearly 1,500 stores in 32 states and nearly 10,000 around the world.

The eight stores opening on March 24 will be in Beaumont, Fontana, Lake Elsinore, Moreno Valley, Palm Springs, San Bernardino and Yucaipa.

At the grand opening celebrations of the above listed stores, the first 100 shoppers will get a “golden ticket” worth a mystery amount of money in gift certificates. What’s more, shoppers on March 24, 25 and 26 will receive a complimentary ALDI reusable shopping bag.

Twelve more stores are scheduled to open between April and July, several of them in Los Angeles County. They will be in Anaheim, Arcadia, Bakersfield, Buena Park, Calexico, Cerritos, Covina, El Centro, Fountain Valley, Inglewood, La Puente and La Verne.

Planning on heading to a store opening? Here’s what company representatives say you should know before you go:

When shopping at ALDI for the first time, customers will immediately see that ALDI is a little different from other grocery stores. Those little differences add up to big savings for customers and are the key reasons ALDI is one of America’s favorite grocery stores:

• Simply, Smarter, Shopping: A simple approach to grocery shopping translates into big savings for ALDI shoppers. In fact, shoppers have found that switching from national brands to ALDIexclusive brands can save them up to 50 percent** on their grocery bill.
• ALDI Exclusive Brand Products: More than 90 percent of the premium groceries available at ALDI are exclusive brand products rather than national brands. In its state-of-the-art Test Kitchen,ALDI ensures that its products meet or exceed the quality and taste of national name brands.
• Organic and Gluten Free Options: ALDI carries a variety of organic and gluten free items including organic fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, and organic and gluten-free packaged food items. What’s missing from these premium foods? Premium prices.
• Feel Good Food: Customers won’t find certified synthetic colors, partially hydrogenated oils or added MSG in any ALDI exclusive brand foods. Since more than 90 percent of the products inALDI stores are under ALDI exclusive brands, shoppers can feel good about the food they buy.
• Double Guarantee: Shopping at ALDI is risk free because of its Double Guarantee: If for any reason a customer is not 100% satisfied with any ALDI exclusive brand food, ALDI will gladly replace the product and refund the purchase price.
• Regional Favorites: ALDI stores in California will feature a large selection of local favorites including California sourced wine and produce.
• USDA Choice Meat: All beef available at ALDI is USDA Choice cut and sold in vacuum sealed, leak-proof packaging that ensures meat stays fresher, longer.
• Healthier Checklanes: ALDI offers shoppers guilt-free checklanes where only better-for-you items are available, such as single serve nuts and trail mixes, dried fruits, and an assortment of granola bars.
• ALDI Finds: Each week, ALDI offers a special selection of premium food and non-food products, ranging from small kitchen appliances and toys to gardening items and outdoor furniture. These items are only in stores for a limited time so customers must hurry, because here today could mean gone tomorrow.
• Easy-to-Shop, Consistent Layout: ALDI has an easy-to-shop, manageable layout of 10,000 to 11,000 square feet and four to five aisles.
• Quarter Cart System: With parking at a premium in the Southland, shoppers don’t have to worry about shopping carts taking the best parking spots. Lend ALDI a quarter, and ALDI will lend you a cart. When you bring back the cart, you’ll get back your quarter.
• Bring Your Bag, Bag Your Groceries: ALDI encourages customers to bring their own reusable grocery bags, however paper and plastic bags are available for purchase. After check out, customers pack their own groceries. That keeps the lines moving, so shoppers can get in, get what they need and get on with their day.
• Store Hours: ALDI is open during prime shopping times. California stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Sunday.

– City News Service contributed to this report.