ALDI will offer grocery shoppers an assortment of discounted products starting Thursday when the grocer reopens its expanded Fort Dodge store Thursday. The local ALDI is at 2736 First Ave. S.

“We are pleased to showcase the new look of ALDI with this updated store in Fort Dodge and continue to help customers stretch their dollars,” said Matt Lilla, Faribault division vice president for ALDI, in a statement released last month. “As important as price is, there’s only one way to attract and keep shoppers: You have to have quality products. When people try our ALDI exclusive brands, they are excited by the savings and impressed by the quality.”

The store features higher ceilings, improved natural lighting and environmentally friendly building materials.

According to information provided by the company, it will offer customers a simple and easy-to-navigate shopping experience.

To celebrate the Fort Dodge store, ALDI will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday to which the public is invited to attend and sample ALDI exclusive brand products, tour the store and shop for their favorite grocery items. Additionally, guests can enter an on-site sweepstakes for a chance to win ALDI gift certificates.

The Fort Dodge location will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

ALDI has nearly 1,300 stores located in 32 states. Over the last several years, ALDI has added, on average, 80 new stores each year.

ALDI specializes in frequently purchased grocery and household itmes. It offers a large number of exclusive brands that the company says must meet or cxceed national brands in terms of taste and quality.

ALDI was named the 2014 Retailer of the Year by Private Label Store Brands magazine for its strong commitment to value and innovation-focused private brand product development.