Aldi Will Spend $180M Remodeling Most Of Its Chicago-Area Stores

Aldi, one of the fastest growing grocery chains in the U.S., plans to spend about $180 million remodeling 130 of its 150 Chicago-area stores by 2020 — part of a broader effort to move its no-frills model into modern times.

The stores will be brighter, more contemporary in design, and in some cases, slightly larger, up to about 13,000 square feet, to allow for an expansion of store-branded products marketed as natural and organic. Nationally, Aldi also intends to grow from 1,600 to 2,000 stores in the next three years. Traditionally known as a discounter, Aldi hopes its fresh look appeals to new and old customers alike.

"I've worked for Aldi for 22 years and it's amazing how the company's changed, certainly our offering for the customers. … The customers definitely want more fresh, healthier alternatives and this expansion is going to help us with that," said Heather Moore, Aldi division vice president, during a recent tour of the Horner Park store near the intersection of Montrose and Western avenues, a new store that illustrates some of the changes coming to other locations.

To read the rest of the story, please go to: Chicago Tribune