Discount grocer Aldi will officially enter its 40th U.S. state on March 26 with the opening of its first Maine store at 1100 Brighton Avenue in Portland. The approximately 25,000-square-foot space, formerly occupied by a Big Lots store, marks a milestone for the retailer as it continues a sweeping national growth strategy. The Maine debut forms part of a broader $9 billion, five-year expansion plan aimed at reaching 3,200 U.S. stores by the end of 2028.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, March 26 at 8:45 a.m. To commemorate the opening, Aldi will donate $10,000 to Good Shepherd Food Bank to help combat food insecurity in the local community. The Portland store will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
EFFICIENCY MODEL DESIGNED TO CUT COSTS
Consistent with Aldi’s operating model, the Portland location will emphasize cost efficiency. Nearly 90% of items stocked are exclusive brands, enabling tighter control over pricing and quality. The retailer’s smaller-format stores feature a curated assortment of products designed to streamline operations and reduce overhead.
Chris Daniels, Regional Vice President for Aldi, underscored the company’s strategic intent in the Northeast. “We are thrilled to be expanding into the state of Maine as a part of our expansion in the Northeast,” Daniels told Progressive Grocer newsmagazine. “At our new Portland Aldi store, shoppers will notice a smaller, easy-to-shop store layout filled with a carefully selected range of products to provide them with exactly what they need. As more people look for better ways to stretch their dollar further, we’re excited to bring quality groceries at the lowest possible prices to Portland.”
GRAND OPENING INCENTIVES
To drive early foot traffic, the company will host special promotions for the first 200 customers, who will receive gift bags filled with a selection of products and a gift card as part of the Aldi Golden Ticket giveaway program.
Shoppers will also have the opportunity to receive limited-edition Portland merchandise. A complimentary coffee bar featuring Aldi-exclusive beverages and snacks will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on opening day.
FASTEST-GROWING GROCER IN THE U.S.
Aldi expects to open more than 180 stores across 31 states by the end of 2026, including 10 new stores in the Phoenix market. Additionally, the company plans to convert nearly 80 Southeastern Grocers locations to the discounter’s format across the Southeast.
By 2028, Aldi intends to operate 3,200 stores nationwide. Looking further ahead, the retailer plans to enter the Colorado market within the next five years, with more than 50 stores already mapped out for the Denver and Colorado Springs areas. Additional growth is projected in Las Vegas.
To support its expanding footprint, Aldi is investing heavily in its distribution infrastructure. Three new distribution centers are scheduled to open over the next three years:
Baldwin, Florida (projected 2027)
Goodyear, Arizona (projected 2028)
Aurora, Colorado (projected 2029)
By 2028, Aldi will have invested $9 billion to expand its store network, strengthen supply chain operations, and upgrade its online shopping experience — reinforcing its position as one of the fastest-growing grocers in the United States.
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