> Since it first opened its doors in Iowa in 1976, it has established 1,600 locations across the nation. Over the next five years, it announced in June, that nu

> Since it first opened its doors in Iowa in 1976, it has established 1,600 locations across the nation. Over the next five years, it announced in June, that number will jump to 2,500, putting its reach alongside that of Walmart and Krogers. Ehh, it is currently in the same realm as Safeway (1300 stores). In 5 years, if all goes according to plan, it hopes to be closer to Kroger (2800 stores). It is not, nor will it even come close in the next 5 years, to being a Walmart, who already has 4700 stores. Particularlu given the love of the US for membership-based big box stores like Costco I also doubt a budget chain (that, last I checked, still charged you 25 cents for a shopping card), will become quite the “staple” Walmart or any other normal supermarket chain is.