Discount grocer Aldi said it will add another 800 stores to its U.S. footprint by the end of 2028.

The German grocer said in a press release Thursday that it would be investing $9 billion nationwide in the next four years. That will include expanding in the Northeast, Midwest and Southeast and a growing presence in Southern California and Phoenix.

Aldi will also be entering new cities like Las Vegas, the grocer said.

"Our growth is fueled by our customers, and they are asking for more ALDI stores in their neighborhoods nationwide," said Jason Hart, CEO of Aldi in the statement. "With up to 40% savings on groceries, new customers are inspired to try us out, and existing customers keep coming back. While price is important, we earn their loyalty by stocking our shelves with only the best products and offering a quicker, easier and more enjoyable shopping experience."

How will Aldi grow?

The new 800 stores nationwide will be a combination of new openings and store conversions, the grocer said. Aldi also said that it had completed an acquisition announced in August of roughly 400 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores throughout the Southeast.

In addition to "organic growth through new store openings, a significant number of Winn-Dixie and Harvey Supermarkets will convert to the ALDI format in the next few years," the grocer said. Starting in mid-summer, ALDI will begin a phased-in-approach to converting some stores. The grocer anticipates about 50 stores will begin the conversion process in the latter half of this year and the majority will reopen as ALDI in 2025.

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Aldi said part of the growth will be adding nearly 330 stores in the Northeast and Midwest, to strengthen an already strong presence in those regions, in the next five years.

"For more than a decade, ALDI has added hundreds of stores per year across the country," Hart said.

Aldi said it will have nearly 3,200 stores nationwide after the new locations open.

Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher. Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, which will include consumer news on Fridays,here.