European grocery rivalry expands to US as Aldi, Lidl bulk up

New York

A DECADES-LONG supermarket battle in Europe is moving to the US, adding to the competitive pressure in an industry embroiled in a deflation-fuelled price war.

Aldi, known for low prices on its private-label items, plans to spend US$3.4 billion over the next five years to open 900 supermarkets, the company said on Monday. The investment comes as its European discount rival, Lidl, prepares to open its first US stores this week, with plans for as many as 100 by the summer of 2018.