Business Insider/Hayley Peterson
The discount grocery chain Aldi is taking aim at Walmart with its billion-dollar plan to lower prices, redesign existing stores, and expand its footprint.
Reuters reported Thursday that Aldi plans to sell more items under its in-house brand, which keeps prices low for customers.
Aldi CEO Jason Hart told Reuters that Aldi’s prices are 21% cheaper than competitors like Walmart.
The chain is also planning to open 400 new stores by the end of next year, according to Reuters.
Aldi is spending $ 1.6 billion to implement a new store design in 1,300 of its 1,600 US stores, Bloomberg previously reported.
The German-owned grocery chain debuted the new design in October at a store in Richmond, Virginia. The Aldi store has softer lighting than its older stores, as well as a larger fresh produce section, wider aisles, and electronic displays on the walls.
Here’s what it looks like:
The new Aldi store looks similar to its older stores on the outside.
Business Insider/Hayley Peterson
But stepping inside, it feels much different. The lighting is softer and more natural, and the aisles are wider.
Business Insider/Hayley Peterson
Permanent eye-level shelving fixtures are everywhere in the new store. In the older stores, shown below, many items are stacked on top of each other in cardboard boxes instead of placed on shelves.
Business Insider/Hayley Peterson
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