Aldi leads Florida grocery expansion as 21 new stores come to the Sunshine State

Florida is preparing for a wave of new supermarkets as Aldi leads a 21-store expansion that will push the state's total number of supermarkets to nearly 300. The push comes as other major chains—Publix, Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, Whole Foods, Walmart and Target—also expand or enter the state, underscoring the highly competitive Florida grocery market amid rapid population growth. The expansion underscores Aldi’s continued growth in the United States, where it was named the fastest-growing grocer in the country for a fifth straight year by real estate firm JLL, and remains among the top three in store count.

Many of Aldi's 21 new locations will occupy former Winn-Dixie sites, a result of Aldi's 2023 acquisition of the chain. The new stores will span communities from Bushnell and Deerfield Beach to Englewood, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Naples, Orlando, St. Petersburg and Sarasota, among others, as the chain seeks to broaden its reach across the state. Several of the new outlets are planned to replace Winn-Dixie locations, highlighting the consolidation that has shaped Florida’s grocery landscape in recent years. In addition to Aldi, Florida will also welcome its first H Mart, marking the Korean and Asian specialty grocer's entry into its 19th U.S. state as part of a broader push by national chains into the Sunshine State.

The expansion spans a broad geographic swath, with Aldi planning openings across numerous cities, including Bushnell, Deerfield Beach, Englewood (two sites), Fort Lauderdale, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Leesburg, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, Naples, Orlando (including the Metro West Marketplace), Ormond Beach, Palm Harbor, Port Orange, Port Saint John, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg, among others. Several sites are in areas that recently absorbed Winn-Dixie locations, reflecting Aldi’s strategy of translating acquired footprints into new discount-grocery options for growing Florida communities. The full list of 21 stores demonstrates the breadth of the push, weaving together coastal, inland and suburban markets that collectively reflect Florida’s demographic expansion.

Beyond Aldi, other national retailers are accelerating their Florida footprints. Publix, the employee-owned chain known for its subs and customer service, opened 13 stores earlier this year and plans three additional openings in Fort Myers, Orlando and Coral Gables. Publix locations listed in the expansion include Fort Myers (Corkscrew Road), Orlando (S Hiawassee Road) and Coral Gables (Dixie Highway), with these openings scheduled for September. Trader Joe’s plans to enter Daytona Beach and Melbourne, bringing its distinctive store format to two new coastal markets.

Sprouts is slated to debut in St. Petersburg and Venice in mid-November, while Walmart has added locations in Milton and Pace, underscoring continued growth in both rural and suburban communities. Target is also expanding, with a new outpost listed in Bradenton’s Heritage Harbour, along with additional projects in Cypress Creek Station and Lake Nona, as well as other nearby markets. H Mart is opening its Orlando location at 7501 W. Colonial Drive on September 25, marking a new point of presence for the Korean and Asian specialty grocer in the state.

Florida’s rapid population growth provides a backdrop to these moves. World Population Review data show the state’s population rising about 8.2 percent since 2020, pushing totals toward 24 million residents. The influx has created a sizable growth opportunity for grocers that can offer competitive prices, convenient locations and a wide selection of fresh, packaged and specialty goods. Aldi’s leadership in this wave of store openings is consistent with its broader U.S. trajectory: the retailer has expanded aggressively across several states in recent years, leveraging its discount format to attract price-conscious shoppers in diverse markets.

The expansion also reflects broader shifts in consumer shopping behavior and the grocery landscape. As Florida’s population continues to grow, these retailers are racing to secure prime real estate and establish brand familiarity in new markets. Aldi’s strategy of converting former Winn-Dixie stores combined with new builds, as well as sister chains’ accelerated openings, illustrates a competitive dynamic that could influence pricing, product assortment and store experience across the state.

For shoppers, the anticipated result is greater access to discount or mid-range grocery options at more convenient locations, with the potential for more cargo-density, same-day delivery and extended hours in some markets. For the market as a whole, the Florida expansion contributes to an ongoing national trend of retailers broadening footprints in highly populated states with expanding consumer bases, even as supply chains and labor markets adapt to accelerating growth.

As the 2025 calendar unfolds, the industry will watch how these openings influence local competition, job creation and community access to groceries. The Florida expansion illustrates how large retailers are deploying blended strategies—combining the repositioning of acquired stores with new builds—to capture market share in one of the country’s most dynamic consumer landscapes.