Aug 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Aldi Inc. intends to construct a $40 million, 500,000-square-foot distribution center in Denton TX to serve stores in Texas and Oklahoma. This will mark the German-owned discount grocer's first distribution center in the Southwest.

Though Aldi has no Texas stores yet, it says it will open 25 stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the next few years. It has 13 stores in Oklahoma.

Aldi purchased 185 acres near Denton Municipal Airport for almost $4 million recently. Construction should be completed in 12 to 18 months, a company spokesperson said. The Denton facility should create about 100 jobs.

Worldwide, the retailer has 8,175 stores, including more than 900 United States stores. It currently operates 18 U.S. distribution centers.