Update (Oct. 19): Aldi confirmed on Monday that its stores in Chandler and Goodyear would open on Thursday, Nov. 5. Both stores will be open every day from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Opening dates for its Gilbert and Peoria locations have not been announced.
Original story:
After years of not-so-quiet speculation, Aldi, the discount grocery chain, confirmed Tuesday its plans open several stores in Arizona, including four in the Phoenix metro by the end of the year.
The four grocery stores will be located in Chandler, Gilbert, Goodyear, and Peoria, and are expected to open in November or December, Aldi said.
Confirmed Aldi locations
- 2844 S. Alma School Road, Chandler, AZ 85286
- 1801 Pecos Road, Gilbert, AZ 85295
- 845 N. Estrella Pkwy., Goodyear, AZ 85338
- 24665 N. Lake Pleasant Pkwy., Peoria, AZ 85383
The Chandler and Peoria stores are slated to open in November 2020. Gilbert and Goodyear are expected to open in December 2020, Aldi said in a news release.
Aldi is currently hiring store associates, lead store associates, and assistant store managers for each location, which is said to bring 90 jobs to the area. Those interested can apply, here.
“We are incredibly excited to open our first stores in Arizona and introduce millions of new shoppers to the most affordable grocery shopping experience,” said Tom Cindel, director of operations at Moreno Valley Group, in a written statement.
“Beyond our commitment to always provide the freshest groceries at the lowest prices, we are proud to create job opportunities for residents. ALDI is known as an employer of choice with market-leading wages and benefits, and we look forward to adding the best and brightest Arizona talent to our local ALDI team.”
Within the last two years, Aldi has submitted applications, building plans, or proposals to build grocery stores in other cities, including Buckeye, Mesa, Gilbert, Goodyear, Phoenix, Queen Creek, and Tempe, as well as a distribution center and regional office in Goodyear.
Aldi would not confirm any additional locations. However, in a statement responding to questions from ABC15, Cindel did confirm that Aldi has plans to open more stores in the future.
"We’re excited to open the first four ALDI stores in Arizona and have plans to expand our presence in the state in the years ahead," he said.
Here is what we know about the other locations that Aldi potentially has planned.
Buckeye: Back in 2018, Aldi submitted site plans to open a grocery store near Watson and Yuma Roads. That location was initially waiting on the distribution center to be built in Goodyear, said Anne DeChance, communications manager for City of Buckeye. Now, however, she said when Buckeye's store could open is unknown. "We’ve been told they are doing 5 stores this year, including one in Goodyear, and they plan another 5-7 next year. Buckeye is potentially on that list but it hasn’t been finalized yet," she said in an email. (Aldi has not officially confirmed the Buckeye location).
Gilbert: Aldi has submitted plans for two grocery store locations in Gilbert, according to Jen Harrison, spokesperson for the Town of Gilbert. Construction has begun at the 1801 Pecos Road location, which Aldi confirmed. The other location, 1225 N. Arizona Avenue, is in "plan review," she said.
Goodyear: In 2017, Aldi purchased approximately 69 acres of land near Indian School Road and Cotton Lane for a distribution warehouse and regional office, said Tammy Vo, spokesperson for City of Goodyear. Construction has not begun on that project and "that portion of the project is still a ways out," she said. In March 2020, Aldi picked up its permits for the Goodyear location at 845 N. Estrella Parkway, which is expected to open in December, according to Aldi.
Mesa: Aldi has submitted applications for permits at 2751 S. Signal Butte Road in Mesa, the city's economic development department confirmed. The design was approved with conditions by the design review board in October 2018. In December 2018, Aldi filed for a commercial building permit. There has been no activity since then, the department said.
Phoenix: Aldi has submitted plans to open two grocery stores in Phoenix. One will be located near 14th Street and Bell Road and another at 59th Avenue and Baseline Road. Angie Holdswork, a spokesperson for the City of Phoenix's Planning and Development Department, said in an email that "the applicant contacted our reviewer and is moving forward on both [projects]." The 59th Avenue location has had its building plans preliminary approved, she said. Plans for the location near 14th Street have been submitted.
Queen Creek: In 2018, Aldi submitted building plans for a grocery store to be part of the Shops at Terravella, a new shopping complex. A spokesperson for the Town said they have not received any further information from Aldi regarding that project and that construction has not started.
Tempe: Aldi previously submitted building permits for a location in Tempe, a city spokesperson said, but those permits expired in April 2019. Aldi did submit a "tenant improvement" plan to the city related to training, but is not a large enough plan to be a training facility, despite another report, a spokesperson said.
Unlike other grocery stores, Aldi does not have in-store coffee shops or pharmacies. It focuses most of its products -- nearly 90% -- on private labels versus national brands, though it does have some national brands in stores.
To keep prices low, according to its website, Aldi requires a $0.25 deposit to use a shopping cart and charges for shopping bags. Customers bags their own groceries and are encouraged to purchase reusable shopping bags.
The first Aldi grocery store opened in Germany in 1961. The company is based in Batavia, Illinois.
Aldi said Tuesday it opened its 2,000th store and plans to open an additional 70 stores.
Editor's note: This article was updated to include information on projects in other cities and towns around the Valley.
