The chain, with U.S. operations based outside of the Chicago, went on an expansion tear soon after inflation began to spike in 2021 and opened a record number of new stores last year.

The new stores will bring the retailer's U.S. location count to nearly 2,800, as it pushes toward a goal of 3,200 stores by the end of 2028, Aldi announced in a Jan. 12 news release. Under the plan, the discount grocer will enter new states, including Maine and Colorado, and will expand its footprint in some markets in the West.

Aldi is adding two Mesa stores as part of a wider Arizona push that includes 10 metro Phoenix openings and a new Goodyear distribution center.