New Aldi headed to Pineville

Aldi, the private label grocer known for rock-bottom prices, is set to open a new store in Pineville late next month.

The chain, which has six stores in Charlotte and more in the surrounding areas, will open the new store for business on Thursday, July 28. The Aldi will be located at 10629 Park Road. Members of the public are invited to a grand opening and tour of the store - with samples - on Wednesday, July 27.

Aldi has a devoted following. The store keeps prices down (it claims by as much as 50 percent vs. traditional grocers) by offering a much smaller selection of only non-brand name goods than a traditional supermarket. This store will feature some 1,400 products, compared to the tens of thousands stocked at a Food Lion or a Harris Teeter.

The chain also features its own quirky practices it claims save money, including a 25 cent deposit for shopping carts and no free grocery bags. You can read more about those here.

The retailer, which is owned by the same German company that owns Trader Joe's, says it plans to open a total of 80 new US stores this year, adding to its 1,100 current locations.