ALDI announces plans for Gulf Coast expansion with new fulfillment center in Alabama

A year and a half after ALDI bought property in Fairhope, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida, the company is revealing new details about their expansion plans.

ALDI identifies itself as one of America's fastest growing retailers, now serving customers with 2,000 stores in 36 states.

The Gulf Coast expansion plan unveiled Tuesday includes a regional headquarters and distribution center in Loxley, Baldwin County.

Mayor Richard Teal said, "We are proud that ALDI has selected Loxley for this monumental investment. Bringing a regional headquarters is great for Loxley, Baldwin County, and Alabama."

The company said the 564,000-square-foot warehouse will be located near Interstate 10 and Highway 59.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said, "We’re proud to stand behind ALDI’s commitment to bringing value to the people of Alabama and the Gulf Coast region, and we welcome the company’s plans for a regional headquarters and distribution hub in Loxley that will create jobs for our hardworking citizens."

ALDI said they plan to break ground on the new facility next year. They're expected to hire more than 200 corporate and warehouse workers by the time it opens in 2022.

It will serve 80 new stores planned for the region.

Dan Gavin, Vice President of National Real Estate for ALDI U.S., said "We selected Loxley as it offers a centralized location for our expansion plans across southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and parts of Louisiana."

The CEO of ALDI U.S., Jason Hart, said, "As we continue to expand, we promise to do everything in our power to offer the lowest prices, every day, without exception. In fact, as food costs are rising across the country, we're lowering prices on hundreds of items to meet our customers' increased need for savings."

The company said the new Loxley facility will include a rooftop solar system to power its energy-efficient refrigeration system.

Public documents filed with Escambia and Santa Rosa County over the past 18 months show plans for stores on Mobile Highway near Edison Drive in West Pensacola; Blue Angel Parkway near Pine Forest Road in Pensacola; and Highway 98 near Ortega Street in Navarre. The company has not yet indicated when construction could begin on those sites.

The first ALDI opened in Germany in 1961. The company expanded to the United States in 1976.