Is Aldi Coming to New Mexico or Albuquerque Anytime Soon?

With over 2,200 stores in 38 states, Aldi has been rapidly expanding across the U.S. in recent years. They just recently moved into their newest state, Arizona, opening multiple stores in 2021. But is New Mexico next on Aldi‘s list? Specifically, when can shoppers in Albuquerque expect to see the popular German discounter come to town?

Aldi‘s Ongoing U.S. Expansion

Aldi has an ambitious goal to operate 2,500 stores in the U.S. by 2022. They have earmarked $5 billion for remodeling existing stores and aggressive expansion focused largely on the Gulf Coast region lately.

In 2021 alone, Aldi opened over 150 new stores, bringing their total store count to 2,100. This fast-paced growth shows no signs of slowing down.

Aldi also continues to enter new states and fill gaps in coverage. Their move into Arizona last year was a southwest expansion milestone. This might make you think New Mexico could be next on their list. But so far, Aldi has not announced any firm plans to come to the Land of Enchantment.

Why New Mexico Is Not an Immediate Priority

With only 2.1 million residents, New Mexico is a relatively small market compared to some other states Aldi is targeting. major cities like Albuquerque (558,545 residents) and Las Cruces (102,027 residents) have fewer potential customers than other southwestern metro areas.

Population density is a key factor for discount chains looking to maximize operational efficiency. New Mexico ranks 45th of 50 states in population per square mile. These demographics make it lower priority for rapid expansion.

However, with Arizonachecked off the list, entering New Mexico would help Aldi fill gaps in their Southwest coverage area. The state‘s growth and tourism potential also boost the appeal longer-term.

When Might New Mexico Get Its First Aldi Stores?

Though not officially planned yet, my prediction is that New Mexico will have its first Aldi stores by 2025, likely starting in Albuquerque.

Reviewing Aldi‘s historical expansion strategy offers some insights into their future moves…

As you can see, Aldi has consistently opened around 70 to 160 new stores annually in recent years. They also tend to push into 1-3 new states each year.

Based on their steady progress moving southwest, I expect New Mexico to join the lineup soon, probably within 2-3 years.

Of course, these are just my predictions based on monitoring their historical growth. Official expansion announcements could certainly accelerate or push back this tentative timeline.

Prime New Mexico Locations for Aldi

When Aldi does come to New Mexico, Albuquerque will almost certainly be home to their first stores in the state. As the most populated metro area, it offers the largest customer base and workforce.

Other top locations well-suited for Aldi stores include:

Santa Fe – The capital and historic tourism hub would give Aldi a strong secondary foothold.

Las Cruces – As the second largest NM city, the economic center near Mexico border is appealing.

Rio Rancho – A rapidly growing Albuquerque suburb with nearly 100,000 residents.

These cities all have the density, household incomes, and growth potential that fit Aldi‘s expansion criteria. Locating near major highways for convenient access is another key site selection factor.

How Aldi Would Compare to Top Grocers in New Mexico

Residents surely want to know – how will Aldi stack up against existing retailers? Here‘s a comparison of key factors:

Aldi would introduce the most extreme value pricing to the state. They beat even Walmart on cost for comparable items in categories like produce, pantry staples, and dairy.

However, Aldi has a vastly more limited product selection of only 1,500 core items vs 40,000+ at supermarkets. Shoppers sacrifice variety for rock-bottom prices.

The Verdict? Great News for New Mexico Shoppers

At the end of the day, an Aldi expansion into New Mexico would be a big win for local shoppers. Adding their unmatched prices on everyday groceries would force other retailers to compete more on costs.

The key is patience – it may take a few more years before the German discount grocer finally comes to call New Mexico home. But the company‘s steady U.S. growth puts them on track to reach the Land of Enchantment soon.

It‘s only a matter of time before Aldi opens its iconic blue doors in cities statewide. Both bargain hunters and regular shoppers will welcome these new stores providing easier access to significant savings.