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Holiday hours matter, considering human nature: leaving things to the last minute or needing something right on the day of.

Especially when a holiday falls on a Monday, and shoppers have missed something during their weekend shopping, or like me, wait for weekdays to shop or order to avoid the rush.

This year, Columbus Day falls on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, and while Federal offices generally close for the day, private retailers determine their own schedules.

For shoppers, ALDI stores are expected to be open on Columbus Day.

The discount grocer has not announced a nationwide closure for Monday, Oct. 12.

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ALDI locations are expected to remain operational during regular business hours. For most Aldi locations, it is between 9:00 am and 8:00 pm.

ALDI’s information page makes it clear that on certain holidays, its stores are closed, and on others, store hours are affected.

On New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, all ALDI stores are closed.

Meanwhile, on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve, ALDI is only open for limited hours.

A quick check of the company’s store locator can confirm the opening and closing times of your nearest location.

The company says that because Aldi isn’t a 24/7 operation, its store workers can spend more time with their families on most holidays, when stores either close for the day or operate on reduced hours.

So while Columbus Day isn’t currently listed by Aldi as a companywide closure, shoppers shouldn’t assume the chain follows the same schedule on every holiday.

Aldi is open on Columbus Day.M. Suhail / Getty Images

More shoppers are getting an Aldi nearby

Aldi’s Columbus Day hours may be relevant to shoppers more than ever as the grocer rapidly expands its U.S. footprint.

The company announced in January that it plans to open more than 180 stores across 31 states in 2026.

Those openings are expected to bring Aldi to nearly 2,800 U.S. stores by the end of the year, putting it closer to its goal of 3,200 stores by the end of 2028.

The grocer said 17 million new customers visited its stores in 2025, while one in three U.S. households shopped at Aldi during the year, citing its own data.

Aldi is also moving into new markets.

Its 2026 expansion includes its first store in Maine, 10 additional stores in the Phoenix market, and the continued conversion of Southeastern Grocers locations into Aldi stores.

The rapid expansion comes as shoppers continue looking for ways to stretch their grocery budgets.

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For decades, soda was considered an indulgence. Even diet sodas have lingering questions about whether they’re a healthy choice, and while they might be a better choice, they’re not exactly good for you.

“Diet sodas contain little to no calories and offer essentially no benefit from a nutritional standpoint: The concern here is with the potential of missing out on opportunities to consume something else, such as low-fat milk (source of calcium) or unsweetened green tea (source of micronutrients that may offer anti-inflammatory benefits),” a report from The Ohio State University shared.

The researchers noted that diet soda was a better choice than full-sugar soda, but suggested other options.

“If you’re looking to decrease or eliminate soda intake, but still crave something ‘bubbly,’ try flavored sparkling water,” the report suggested. “Other alternatives include trendy products, such as lower-sugar varieties of Kombucha, a fermented tea that contains probiotics, which may be helpful for gut bacteria, or mixing small amounts of 100% juice with club soda.”

Now, however, Coca-Cola is making a new move in the so-called functional beverage space. The company is following rival PepsiCo, which introduced Pepsi Prebiotic Cola in Feb.

Coca-Cola creates functional beverages

While Coca-Cola has been in the functional beverage space with its Simply Pop line, the company had not introduced new versions of its namesake and top-selling sodas. That’s changing, at least on a limited basis.

The company is launching what it’s calling “a regional test-and-learn of Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar, Sprite Zero Sugar and Fresca with prebiotic fiber,” according to a press release.

Coca-Cola said the test will begin in late October and it will involve new versions of “Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar, Sprite Zero Sugar and Fresca, each formulated with 6 grams of prebiotic fiber and zero sugar. The pilot will be available on a limited basis across parts of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania as the company evaluates consumer response,” according to the press release.

Coca-Cola Marketing President Shakir Moin commented on the launch.

“For us, innovation starts with the consumer,” said Shakir. “It’s about understanding what people are looking for, where their interests are going, and then using the strength of our brands to create something relevant and compelling. That’s how we continue to learn, evolve and bring new choices to consumers.”

Functional beverages are a growing category

While PepsiCo sells Pepsi Prebiotic Cola nationwide, Coca-Cola is taking a more cautious approach. The Pepsi product offers what the company calls “the great Unbelievably Pepsi taste” with no artificial sweeteners, just 30 calories, only 5g of sugar, and 3g of prebiotic fiber.

That’s less fiber and more sugar than the Coca-Cola products being tested.

Both companies, however, are trying to make a mark in a space called “functional beverages” or even “good for you” drinks.

Consumers are increasingly looking for familiar soda brands that offer something more, whether that’s added fiber, less sugar or other functional ingredients.

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When Coca-Cola entered that space with its Simply Pop line in Feb. 2025, Fortune described the category as “an emerging but still niche category that analysts say has doubled in size over the past year but remains just 2% of the $42.4 billion U.S. soft drink market.”

“The size has more than doubled in the last year but remains relatively small,” Citi lead beverages analyst Filippo Falorni told Fortune.

Coca-Cola is testing functional beverages.Shutterstock

Coca-Cola doesn’t want to be left behind

While he did not mention functional beverages, Coca-Cola CEO Henrique Braun made it clear that he wants to leverage the company’s best-known brands.

“We are focused on driving more from more markets and more from more brands. This quarter’s results show that we are making our brands more relevant to more consumers and making our $32 billion brands work harder for us,” he said during the company’s second-quarter earnings call.

He shared an example.

“For example, evening occasions remain a meaningful untapped opportunity. By redesigning Coca-Cola Zero Zero, we are better positioning the brand for this moment,” Braun added.

As an occasional Coke Zero drinker who has dabbled in the functional beverage space, I see this as a smart move. I’ve tried the cola flavor by Oli Pop, and it wasn’t exactly the taste I’d hoped for.

If Coke can capture its classic flavor profile, I can see myself sometimes reaching for the so-called healthy version, in the same way, I’ll have a Coke Zero as something I see as a reasonable indulgence.

Alternative sodas are a growing category

Data from Circana uses the term “modern soda” and shows a fast-growing category.

“Modern soda is redefining the beverage sector with health-forward innovation and rapid growth. Now a $1.8 billion category in the U.S., modern soda has achieved an 83% year-over-year dollar sales increase, fueled by consumer demand for functional, better-for-you alternatives,” the research firm shared.

The customer base for these drinks at least partially explains why both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have targeted this market.

“With a buyer base that is younger, more diverse, and more affluent than traditional soft drink consumers, modern soda has carved out a distinct space in the market,” Circana added.

Grand View Research took a narrower look at the market.

“The global probiotic and prebiotic soda market size was valued at $516.4 million in 2025 and is projected to grow from $558.0 million in 2026 to $978.9 million by 2033, at a CAGR of 8.4% from 2026 to 2033. North America dominated the probiotic and prebiotic soda market, accounting for the largest revenue share of 43.2% in 2025,” the report showed.

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Average mortgage rates today

Mortgage Type
Label
Rate
APR

30-Year Fixed
Most Popular
7.38%
7.42%

30-Year FHA
Lower Credit
6.91%
8.1%

30-Year VA
Military
6.97%
7.14%

30-Year Jumbo
High Balance
7.58%
7.61%

15-Year Fixed
Shorter Term
6.71%
6.78%

7/6 ARM
Shorter Term
6.88%
6.97%

HELOC
Home Equity
8.09%
8.09%

Home Equity Loan
Home Equity
8.16%
8.17%

Updated on 10/07/2026

Rate data provided by RateUpdate.com. Displayed by Mortgage Research Center, LLC, NMLS# 1907, Equal Housing Opportunity, Payments do not include taxes or insurance premiums. Actual payments will be greater with taxes and insurance included. Rate and Product details

Mortgage rates ticked lower, with the 30-year fixed-rate loan averaging 7.42%. Rates have averaged above 7% for several weeks and are likely to remain there for now.
Key mortgage rate averages:

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.42% APR
The 30-year fixed-rate FHA mortgage averaged 8.1% APR
The 30-year fixed-rate VA mortgage averaged 7.14% APR
The 30-year fixed-rate jumbo mortgage averaged 7.61% APR
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.78% APR
The 7/6 adjustable-rate mortgage averaged 6.97% APR
The rate on a HELOC averaged 8.05% APR
The rate on a home equity loan averaged 8.17% APR

Mortgage rate trends
Mortgage rates appear to be stabilizing in the mid-7% range, their highest level since 2023. While elevated rates increase affordability challenges for some buyers, lower volatility can give financially ready buyers time to find and lock in a favorable rate.
Prospective buyers hoping rates will decrease later this year may be disappointed. In emailed comments, Kara Ng, senior economist at Zillow Home Loans, writes that rates are likely to move only a little lower. Zillow’s revised rate forecast now expects the 30-year rate to average 7.1% by year’s end.
Which loan is best for you?
When shopping for a mortgage, you may be offered several loan options to meet different needs. Here’s a rundown of the most common loan types you’ll find, and who they work best for.
30-year conventional mortgage: Conventional loans work best for borrowers who have a credit score above 620, have saved enough to make a down payment of at least 3% and are looking for flexibility in the type of property being purchased.
30-year Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage: FHA loans are good for first-time homebuyers, borrowers with less-than-perfect credit scores or those with a high debt-to-income ratio.
30-year U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan: Specifically designed for active-duty and retired service members, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and surviving spouses. Offers 0% down loan options, competitive rates and accepts less-than-perfect credit scores.
30-year jumbo loan: Good for homebuyers purchasing property that is priced above the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) conforming loan limit. In 2026, that limit is $832,750 in most of the U.S. but increases to $1,249,125 in high-cost areas.
15-year fixed-rate loan: Borrowers who prefer a shorter loan term and can afford to make higher monthly payments will pay less overall interest with a 15-year mortgage and pay off the loan faster.
7/6 adjustable rate loan: Good for a buyer who wants to lock in a favorable interest rate for a set period of time and either plans on selling the home before the interest rate starts, is willing to make a higher monthly payment once the rate becomes variable or is open to refinancing the loan.
Home equity line of credit (HELOC): A good option for a homeowner who wants to access the equity they’ve accumulated in their home and have an open line of credit to use as needed.
Home equity loan: Another option for a homeowner who wants to access their home equity and have the financial capacity to take on a second mortgage.

How mortgage rates affect affordability
Your mortgage rate can make a big difference in how much home you can afford and how large your monthly payments are. That’s true whether buying your primary residence, an investment property or refinancing an existing loan.
Here’s an example. If you bought a $250,000 home and made a 20% down payment of $50,000, your starting loan balance would be $200,000. On a $200,000 home loan with a fixed rate for 30 years, here’s what you would pay:

At a 3% interest rate = $843 in monthly payments (not including taxes, insurance, or HOA fees)
At a 4% interest rate = $955 in monthly payments (not including taxes, insurance, or HOA fees)
At a 6% interest rate = $1,199 in monthly payments (not including taxes, insurance, or HOA fees)
At an 8% interest rate = $1,468 in monthly payments (not including taxes, insurance, or HOA fees)

Using a mortgage calculator lets you see how a lower rate or other changes could affect what you pay. A home affordability calculator can also estimate the maximum loan amount you may qualify for based on your income, debt-to-income ratio, mortgage interest rate and other variables. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau can also provide a range of rates lenders offer in each state.

Current mortgage rates FAQs
What is a 30-year mortgage rate right now?
The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 7.42% as of October 7, according to Money’s rate data. Other rate surveys show 30-year rates averaging above 7.5%.
Can you get a 4% mortgage rate?
No, not under current market conditions. A 30-year fixed-rate loan is averaging 7.42% as of October 7. Rates are likely to stay at this level or even increase.
Will we ever see a 3% mortgage rate again?
Mortgage rates are unlikely to fall below 3% in the near term unless a severe economic downturn occurs. However, rates averaged in the mid-3% range before the pandemic, so a return to that range at some point in the future is not out of the question.
How much is a $300,000 mortgage at 7%?
The monthly payment on a 30-year, $300,000 conventional mortgage at 7% is $1,995.91, excluding taxes, insurance and HOA fees. Your actual payment will vary depending on your credit score, down payment, lender and location, among other factors.

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A federal holiday doesn’t always mean an empty grocery store parking lot.

This year, Columbus Day falls on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, giving many federal workers a three-day weekend.

And whether you’re using that extra time to stock the kitchen or you suddenly realize you’re missing something for dinner, Kroger shoppers should still be able to make a grocery run.

With holiday shopping, everyday deals, and a weekend to cater, big retailers like Kroger remain shoppers’ best bet to shop for that last-minute item.

Is Kroger open on Columbus Day 2026?

Most Kroger stores are expected to be open on Columbus Day.

Kroger has not announced a companywide Columbus Day closure for Oct. 12.

Store hours, however, vary by location, so shoppers should check Kroger’s official store locator before heading out.

Many Kroger locations open early in the morning and remain open into the evening, but there isn’t one operating schedule that applies to every store.

Pharmacies can also follow different hours from the supermarket itself.

That’s particularly important on holidays, when a grocery store may remain open while its pharmacy operates reduced hours or closes.

Pharmacy hours at Kroger already vary: the pharmacy closes at 8 pm, while the grocery store is open late until 11 pm during regular operating hours.

Kroger is open on Columbus Day.neiu20001 / Getty Images

Kroger changes its operating hours for some holidays

Kroger does publish special hours when major holidays affect its schedule.

That makes checking the schedule important, even when a Kroger supermarket isn’t closing for an entire holiday.

Kroger usually closes only on Christmas Day, whereas on holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve, it closes early depending on the location.

With over 2,700 stores under different banners, Kroger has been working hard to become a one-stop shop for its customers. 

It has also been leveraging technological advancements in artificial intelligence to make shopping easier and less time-consuming.

And add to it availability on most holidays, it makes life easier for every kind of shopper- from the planner to the procrastinator. 

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