Will Bulk Vending Be A Part Of German Supermarket Invasion?

Two German grocery store chains are planning to open stores throughout the United States. According to international press reports, the highly competitive European supermarket giants Aldi and Lidl are each expected to open hundreds of locations in the U.S.

The outcome of their expansions could have a wide-ranging impact on bulk vending and other coin-op segments dependent on traditional supermarkets and grocers.

Lidl has already established its U.S. corporate headquarters in Arlington, VA, with a regional distribution center in Virginia's Spotsylvania County. According to company officials, the initial phase of its expansion includes a $202 million investment.

Separately, Aldi, which has already opened some stores in the U.S., announced plans for about 600 additional units over the next three years at an estimated cost of $3 billion.

Both chains intend to go head-to-head in pricing with established American grocery stores, including Walmart, to attract price-sensitive shoppers. It is a strategy that seems to be succeeding. According to industry sources, prices at Aldi's no frills supermarkets are 22% lower than Walmart's.