Deep discounts and market shifts: ALDI’s Grand Haven debut poised to reshape Ottawa County’s grocery landscape

GRAND HAVEN — America's fastest-growing grocer, ALDI, is set to open its first store in Grand Haven, an expansion that promises to deliver significant consumer savings and introduce a new competitive dynamic to the Ottawa County grocery market.

The discount chain, known for its no-frills efficiency and hard-to-find, private-label products, will open its doors at 8:45 a.m., on Nov. 13, at 17233 Hayes St. The move is a localized front in ALDI's aggressive national strategy, which aims to open 800 new stores by the end of 2028 and solidify its position as one of the country’s largest supermarket chains, according to a press release.

The timing could not be more critical for consumers grappling with the current inflation. ALDI, recently named the leader in “Every Day Low Prices,” operates on a model designed to drive down costs. 

According to the company’s 2025 Price Leadership Report, shoppers can save up to 36 percent on an average shopping trip compared with other national grocers.

"At our new Grand Haven ALDI store, shoppers will find that every decision we make... is to provide our customers with the best products at the lowest possible prices of any national grocer," said Ryan Fritsch, regional vice president for ALDI in the press release. "As shoppers look for better ways to stretch their dollar, ALDI is providing Grand Haven with easier access to quality groceries at affordable prices."

The ALDI economic effect

The grocer’s arrival is expected to generate a notable "Aldi Effect" within the local economy, primarily through two channels: direct savings for households and competitive pressure on existing retailers, according to its 2025 Price Leadership Report. 

The core of the ALDI model is the exclusive use of private-label brands for approximately 90 percent of its inventory. 

Here is what the company boasts as its core value to customers, according to the Price Leadership Report: 

• Annual savings: The focus on ALDI-exclusive brands over name-brand alternatives can save a family of four an estimated $4,000 on annual grocery bills.
• Market competition: The introduction of a hard discounter like ALDI typically forces established competitors to lower their own prices, benefiting all area shoppers. This push-back on price points serves as a localized check on food cost inflation.
• Quality assurance: Despite the low prices, the company maintains its Twice as Nice Guarantee, offering both a replacement and a refund for any dissatisfied customer who returns an exclusive-brand product with a receipt.
• Local employment and investment: The expansion is also a source of local job creation, often with compensation packages competitive within the retail sector.
• New jobs: The Grand Haven location will create new full-time and part-time jobs. The company is nationally recognized for its strong employment practices, having been named one of America’s Best Large Employers by Forbes seven times in eight years.
• Wider economic impact: The store is a part of ALDI's broader investment into the U.S. economy, which was estimated to have contributed $14 billion and supported over 90,000 jobs (directly and indirectly) nationwide in 2023, according to an economic impact analysis.

A simplified, modern shopping experience

The Grand Haven store will feature the modern ALDI format, which emphasizes convenience and quality. The carefully curated selection of products — from fresh organic meats and produce to specialized items like gluten-free and plant-based foods — is designed to simplify the shopping process.

Shoppers can also look forward to:

• ALDI finds: A weekly rotation of limited-time specialty food items, seasonal goods, and home products that create a compelling incentive for repeat visits.
• Convenience options: Nearly all ALDI locations, including the one in Grand Haven, offer digital services, including grocery delivery and Curbside Grocery Pickup.
• Sustainability: The company is dedicated to its environmental goals, having been the first U.S. retailer to eliminate single-use plastic bags and continuing to focus on reducing greenhouse gases and operational waste.

The Grand Haven community will be welcomed on opening day with a celebration, as the first 100 customers on Nov. 13 will receive a gift bag of products and a gift card as part of the ALDI Golden Ticket giveaway. 

Shoppers can also enter sweepstakes for a $500 ALDI gift card through the opening weekend.

— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at hvandyke@ottawanewsnetwork.org.