12 • March | April 2026 • abasto.com Starter ALDI to open 180 stores by 2026 The discount chain is committed to growth. It plans to have nearly 2,800 stores by the end of 2026, bringing it closer to its goal of operating 3,200 stores in the United States by 2028. Kroger: Six food trends Kroger’s team of food experts offers a forecast of what customers will be looking for in 2026. Cultured dairy Protein + fiber synergy One-bite snacks and mini-meals Citrus takes center stage Restaurant-style home cooking Asian-inspired fusions Entrecomillas Our new Nuestra Familia Supermarket reflects how we are reinventing the shopping experience, making it faster and easier for families who are always on the go, while still offering the authentic products and traditions that connect communities,” said Jay Mahabir, vice president of Retail Operations at SpartanNash, about his first small-format Nuestra Familia Supermarket in Omaha, Nebraska. ALDI celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, in which it will open more than 180 stores in 31 states It will invest $9 billion through 2028 to expand its operations and build new distribution centers in Flo- rida, Arizona, and Colorado Supermarket ranking According to dunnhumby’s Retailer Preference Index (RPI), consumers are increasingly focusing their decisions on savings in the face of rising essential costs.