Aldi reveals plans to open 150 new stores across the US

• Aldi plans to open 150 new grocery stores and a distribution center.
• Distribution center will support up to 100 new stores in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle.

Aldi is making further inroads into the US grocery industry, with plans to open 150 more stores and a distribution center.

The grocery giant, known for its discounted prices, said the move is part of the company's plans to become the third-largest grocery retailer in the US by store count this year.

The German chain will have operations in 38 states as of February 10, when it opens up a new store in Lafayette, Louisiana.

The company has plans to open two more Gulf Coast stores in March, and 20 more across the South East by the end of the year.

Alongside expansion of the grocery stores, the company also plans to open a 564,000 square-foot distribution center in Loxley, Alabama, creating a host of new jobs.

According to Aldi, the center will prop up 100 new stores across Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle. The company also said it would hire around 300 store associates and 200 warehouse associates in the area.

The company said it wants to expand access to its online offering, with plans to increase its Curtsied Grocery Pickup service from 1,200 to 1,500 stores by the end of the year.

The company, which opened its first US store in Iowa in 1976, said in July that it was on track to become the third-largest grocery retailer by store count as early as this year, behind only Walmart and Kroger.