Aldi, the German discount grocer that already numbers 60-plus stores in California, is moving ahead with plans to open at the old OSH at Fallbrook and Victory.
The company pulled permits on June 17 for a new facade remodel by architects RDC of Long Beach, a new concrete slab, new cooler and freezer units and some partial site improvements.
Aldi offers a unique shopping experience. Its stores are generally smaller than valley residents are used to, many with just five aisles. Most products are private label and each location carries a limited supply of each item. Customers bag their own groceries to save on labor costs, and using a shopping cart requires a 25¢ deposit.
All these features lead to lower prices; many items are 20 to 50% less than competitors.
Of interest is that the corporate parent, the Albrecht family, also owns the Trader Joe’s chain, and a Trader Joe’s is located just a few blocks away at Fallbrook and Vanowen.
Aldi has continued expansion plans, which include increasing its fresh-food selection with more organic and easy-to-prepare options in a dozen more stores, bringing their total U.S. store count to over 2,500.
La-Z-Boy Furniture will take the adjoining space to Aldi.
