Jason Hart, chief executive officer of the Batavia, Illinois-headquartered Aldi retail grocery chain in the United States, has been promoted to join the executive board of Aldi South as group chief operating officer. He will help oversee the company’s global operations in Salzburg, Austria, effective September 1. Atty McGrath, currently chief operating officer, is set to assume the Aldi US chief executive role.
During Hart’s decade-long leadership at the helm of Aldi operations in the United States, he has led its rapid expansion and development, as the store count ha nearly doubled from 1,300 in 32 states to 2,500 across 39 states.
“I am honored to take on this new role with Aldi supporting our global business,” said Hart. “The growth and positive development of the brand we’ve achieved together in the United States is a tribute to our incredible teams across the business. I look forward to working with Aldi teams around the globe to drive our growth and success.”
In maintaining continuity of leadership, Attty McGrath brings a wealth of Aldi experience and expertise to the forefront, having served most recently as chief operating officer. She has spent her entire 20-year career with Aldi, holding a variety of positions ranging from district manager, director of operations, division vice president and most recently chief operating officer.
Aldi plans to add 800 new stores to its portfolio in the United States over the next five years, with a target of more than 225 locations opening in 2025. Already this year, Aldi has opened 55 stores in the US, with 75 more locations set to open this summer in key growth markets including Arizona, California, Florida and South Carolina, as well as established markets in America’s midwest and northeast.
