Thanks to increased demand for grocery products during the pandemic, several U.S. grocery chains are expanding.
Whole Foods Market plans to add nearly 40 new stores in several states, and has 10,000 open positions across the company, the Austin, Texas-based retailer said in a press release.
“WFM continues to grow across all channels, including delivery, pickup, and in-store,” the company said. In fact, its online sales tripled between March and December 2020 as compared to the same timeframe in 2019.
Nine of Whole Foods’ new stores plans will be California, while others will be in Washington D.C., and other states.
Separately, BJ’s Wholesale Club said it would open six new stores this fiscal year. They will be located in Seabrook, New Hampshire; Port Charlotte, Florida; Commack, New York; South Fayette, Pennsylvania, Ross Township, Pennsylvania; and Lansing, Michigan. The new clubs will feature an extensive selection of fresh foods, a full-service deli, household essentials, clothing, and many other items, the retailer said in a press release.
Elsewhere, Kroger is expanding virtually with its new online customer fulfillment center in Groveland, Florida, which it built with technology partner Ocado.
“The high-tech solution using robotic picking and artificial intelligence brings the brand to a market where Kroger does not have a physical grocery store presence and is part of a companywide plan to double its online sales – and the profitability of them – by 2023,” per Winsight Grocery Business. Another Kroger-Ocado facility also recently opened recently in Monroe, Ohio.
Discount chain Aldi plans to open around 100 new stores nationwide in 2021, and will expand its e-commerce and grocery pick-up services. Aldi will open the stores in Arizona, California, Florida, and the throughout the U.S. Northeast.
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