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Grocery stores continue to boom amid pandemic

Two new locations open in Southwest Florida
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FORT MYERS, Fla -- Southwest Floridians have two new grocery stores to choose from. An Aldi is set to open at 9:00 a.m. in Estero. The grand opening follows Wednesday's opening of a new Winn Dixie in Fort Myers.

The grocery store industry is one that's thriving amid the pandemic. The ongoing search for cleaning products, toilet paper and other essential items are the exact reason the business is booming.

The new Aldi at 19951 S. Tamiami Trl. also has job openings for cashier and stock positions.

Grocery stores in nearly every state saw increases in sales this year.

According to Nielsen, some of the in-demand items early on during the pandemic included sales of hand sanitizers up 470%. Shoppers also flocked to stores for essential food items like milk, bread and eggs. Plus, things like first aid kits, soap, and, of course, toilet paper. According to a recent report about the boom, grocery stores and supermarkets in most states were up 20 to 50%.

Locally, stores are also doing what they can to help with food insecurity in the area. The new Winn Dixie near U.S. 41 and Cypress Lakes made a $1,000 donation to the Harry Chapin Food Bank, along with a donation to South Trail Fire & Rescue.

While grocery stores are seeing a boom, new data also suggests some shoppers are cutting back on grocery spending. It's a sign that Americans are hurting for cash as the federal unemployment stimulus remains on hold.