ALDI expands to Maine with first store in Portland

PORTLAND, Maine — Fresh off being named Mass Market Retailers Grocery of the Year, ALDI is entering its 40th state with the opening of its first Maine location, a new store at 1100 Brighton Ave. in Portland. The grand opening is scheduled for March 26, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8:45 a.m.

Aldi is the Grocer of the Year

The retailer is reinforcing its role as a leading player in the evolving grocery landscape

Mass Market RetailersBill Schiffner

The expansion enhances ALDI’s presence in the Northeast as the discount grocer moves closer to its goal of operating 3,200 U.S. stores by the end of 2028.

ALDI U.S. to open 180 new stores in 2026

As demand surges during its 50th year in the U.S., ALDI is accelerating growth into new markets while modernizing the shopping experience through a redesigned website

Mass Market RetailersBill Schiffner

To celebrate the opening, ALDI will donate $10,000 to the Good Shepherd Food Bank to support hunger relief efforts in the area. The first 200 customers will receive gift bags and a gift card as part of the retailer’s Golden Ticket giveaway. Additional grand-opening promotions include limited-edition Portland-themed merchandise and a free coffee bar featuring ALDI-exclusive beverages and snacks from 7 to 11 a.m.

“We are thrilled to be expanding into the state of Maine as a part of our expansion in the Northeast,” said Chris Daniels, regional vice president for ALDI. “As more people look for better ways to stretch their dollar further, we’re excited to bring quality groceries at the lowest possible prices to Portland.”

The Portland store will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In the new store, shoppers can expect:

•    Quarter carts: When shoppers enter, they’ll insert a quarter to unlock a shopping cart and will get it back when they return the cart. With shoppers being responsible for their carts, staff can focus on important tasks inside the store, leading to even more savings for shoppers.
•    Small store format: The smaller format store is filled with a curated assortment of quality products shoppers want and need, allowing ALDI to operate more efficiently and pass those savings back to shoppers. Small efficiencies like this help shoppers get in and out, so they can keep on with their day.  
•    Self-bagging: Shoppers will breeze through checkout and bag groceries their way before leaving. This approach reduces costs, which puts savings back in shoppers’ pockets. ALDI is the first major U.S. retailer to remove single-use plastic shopping bags at checkout, offering customers the option to bring their own bags or purchase affordable paper or reusable eco-friendly bags. This continues to advance our ambition to make sustainability affordable and accessible to all shoppers****.
•  ALDI-exclusive products: Nearly 90% of items on ALDI shelves are exclusive brands, and 1- in-3 of those products are award-winning*****. Shoppers will find organic meats, fresh produce, sustainable seafood, standout cheese and wine selections, and options for every taste and lifestyle.

The location will also offer curbside pickup and grocery delivery through shop.aldi.us and third-party partners, depending on availability.

*According to the dunnhumby® 2026 Retailer Preference Index.
**Voted most trusted Small Format Grocery Store/Discount Supermarket/Grocery Store for Low Prices/Affordability in the Northeast by American shoppers based on the 2026 BrandSpark® American Trust Study.***Golden Ticket: NO PURCH NECESSARY TO ENTER / WIN. A PURCH WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Ends at store close/when prizes gone. US/DC, 18+ w/in 50 miles of store. Void where prohibited. Odds depend on # of participants and time of arrival. ARV of all prizes: $3000. Subj to Rules at Grand Opening Terms & Conditions(opens in a new tab) or at store. Sponsor: ALDI, Inc., 1200 N. Kirk Rd., Batavia, IL 60510.
****Learn more about Our Sustainability Journey(opens in a new tab).
*****As of February 2025, based on a survey of everyday nationally-distributed ALDI-exclusive branded products (excluding produce)
******Curbside pickup and delivery available in certain areas only. Prices may vary depending on the platform used. Additional fees apply to curbside and delivery orders. Items on sale in the store may not be on sale through the Instacart platform. Prices and availability are subject to delays or errors and may change without notice. As a result, the in-store price of a particular item at the time a purchase is made, including for weighted items, may differ from what is available through the Instacart platform. Additional fees apply to online orders.
*******According to Progressive Grocer’s 2025 Top 10 Most Sustainable Grocers(opens in a new tab) lists.