Why Do So Many People Love Shopping at Aldi? (2024)

MANAGE MONEY - SHOPPING

As inflation causes grocery prices to soar, more people are looking for ways to save. Discount supermarkets like Aldi are a great option.

Why Do So Many People Love Shopping at Aldi? (1)

By Will Vitka

Why Do So Many People Love Shopping at Aldi? (2)

Edited by Rachel Siegel

Updated March 22, 2024

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Inflation has caused grocery prices to explode. The USDA’s Economic Research Service found that supermarket prices in September were up 13% from the previous year, and food prices are food prices rose by 25% from 2019 to 2023. As a result, more Americans are flocking to discount grocers like Aldi.

In fact, 1 million new customers have shopped at Aldi over the last year to save on groceries. There’s been a particular increase in the number of middle-income to high-income customers. But cheaper prices aren’t the only reason to admire Aldi’s unique efforts. Here are 10 more.

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Aldi has lots of fresh and local produce

Birgit Reitz-Hofmann/Adobe Why Do So Many People Love Shopping at Aldi? (4)

One of the things Aldi says has helped its recent success is an emphasis in fresh produce, which is locally sourced and stocked daily. Those fresh fruits and vegetables make up two-thirds of what customers put in their carts, according to the company.

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Aldi is barebones

Heorshe/Adobe Why Do So Many People Love Shopping at Aldi? (5)

Shopping at Aldi is a no-frills experience, but that cuts down on costs, which is ultimately to the customers’ benefit. You might not even see shelves in some aisles. Instead, items are displayed in the boxes they were shipped in. When an item runs out, a store worker simply brings out a new box.

Aldi is only open when people are shopping

Bruce/Adobe Why Do So Many People Love Shopping at Aldi? (6)

Aldi does not operate 24 hours per day. They open at 8 a.m. local time and close their doors 12 hours later. In line with Aldi’s quest for efficiency, stores are only open during prime shopping hours. You can check your store’s hours online.

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You rent — and wrangle — your cart

mitifoto/Adobe Why Do So Many People Love Shopping at Aldi? (7)

Aldi doesn’t have employees wrangle carts. Customers are expected to do that work so that the store doesn’t have to hire extra staff, which ultimately helps you save money shopping. You put a quarter in the cart to unlock it, then you get the quarter back when you put it in the cart corral.

You bring the bags and you bag the groceries

monticellllo/Adobe Why Do So Many People Love Shopping at Aldi? (8)

Aldi wants customers to bring their own reusable shopping bags. If you don’t, you can buy one at checkout, but the store doesn’t offer free bags.

Cashiers at Aldi will quickly scan your items and move them into your cart, but there aren’t any clerks to bag the goods, so you’ll be on your own for that too.

This way, Aldi saves money on plastic and paper bags and on labor, and those savings can be passed on to customers. And, there’s less waste headed into the environment.

Aldi uses its own brands

Birgit Reitz-Hofmann/Adobe Why Do So Many People Love Shopping at Aldi? (9)

Aldi doesn’t carry much in the way of name brands. More than 90% of the items the company sells are Aldi-exclusive. The company says this allows it to provide the same quality goods without the hidden costs of national brands like marketing and advertising. As Aldi goes on to note, “brand name does not define quality.”

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Aldi backs up its food quality claims

Tupungato/Adobe Why Do So Many People Love Shopping at Aldi? (10)

Aldi has a generous return policy called the “Twice As Nice Guarantee.” If you aren’t happy with an Aldi-branded item, you can get the product replaced as well as a refund. Just be sure to keep your receipt and hand over the packaging and whatever’s left unused to a store manager.

No membership needed

Peeradontax/Adobe Why Do So Many People Love Shopping at Aldi? (11)

There is no membership required to get the best deals on food from Aldi. Everyone pays the same price, no matter what. There isn’t a rewards card, either, but they do have weekly specials, so you can save even more when you visit. No coupons needed.

Aldi has a fan club

vulcanus/Adobe Why Do So Many People Love Shopping at Aldi? (12)

Not many grocery stores can boast about having a fan club more than 1 million strong, but Aldi can. Called Aisle of Shame, the blog tracks deals, offers information, and answers questions you might have about shopping at Aldi. There are also reviews, news, and recipes.

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Aldi gives back

Dragana Gordic/Adobe Why Do So Many People Love Shopping at Aldi? (13)

Aldi also tries to be involved in the communities where it has stores. Through grants to local community groups, Aldi makes a positive impact on children’s wellness and helps to tackle food insecurity.

Bottom line

kleberpicui/Adobe Why Do So Many People Love Shopping at Aldi? (14)

Aldi is a disrupter in the grocery industry and it is earning its customers with discount prices — as well as an efficient shopping experience that sets it apart from its competitors. The company also has major expansion plans: Back in February, the supermarket chain said it would open 150 new stores in the U.S. by the end of the 2023. To date, there are 2,364.

Shopping at Aldi will undoubtedly save you money on groceries. But there are even more reasons to love it. You don’t need a membership to save and there are weekly specials, alongside a generous return policy. It is definitely a no-frills shopping experience, but it is the customer who benefits.

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Why Do So Many People Love Shopping at Aldi? (2024)

FAQs

Why Do So Many People Love Shopping at Aldi? ›

Shopping at Aldi is a no-frills experience, but that cuts down on costs, which is ultimately to the customers' benefit. You might not even see shelves in some aisles. Instead, items are displayed in the boxes they were shipped in. When an item runs out, a store worker simply brings out a new box.

What is the hype about Aldi? ›

Aldi receives extensive hype from consumers because their prices are jaw-droppingly low. There's no need to use coupons, nor are they accepted. Aldi has its own store-brand products. Not only will you save money, but you'll spend less time in the store.

Are Aldi groceries good quality? ›

Just like most supermarkets, Aldi has its own brand of products and they're not only high-quality, they're also extremely affordable. If you find yourself in an Aldi, it's a good idea to avoid brand-name products and take advantage of the reasonably priced Aldi items, like frozen pizzas, chips, and baked goods.

What is unique about Aldi stores? ›

From an extensive line of organic, gluten-free and vegan foods to fresh meats, fish and produce delivered daily, we source only the best quality for our shelves. With our smaller selection of high-quality foods, along with wider aisles and smaller stores, our shoppers can save time and money.

What is Aldi's Aisle of Shame? ›

Many shoppers refer to Aldi's Aldi Finds aisle as the “Aisle of Shame.” But more specifically, the Aldi Finds aisle featuring home goods and lifestyle products—not the food section. Yes, every month, we share the best food items coming to the Aldi Finds section.

Is Aldi's cheaper than Walmart? ›

Regardless, the prices don't lie. Aldi is considerably cheaper than Walmart in almost every instance (or they were about the same). Now you know!

Why do some people not like Aldi? ›

If you have a busy schedule and limited time to shop, you may find Aldi to be a frustrating experience. You might have to make multiple trips in the same week to get everything you need. And if that's something you just don't have time for, then it could pay to do your grocery shopping elsewhere.

What is a weakness of Aldi? ›

Limited marketing and advertising: Aldi invests less in marketing and advertising than its competitors. While this helps to keep costs low, it may also limit brand awareness and hinder the company's ability to attract new customers.

Where does Aldi meat come from? ›

When it comes to meat and produce, it's likely that Aldi is sourcing from local farmers in your area. According to Aldi's website, it "teams up with top growers throughout the U.S., including local growers." When it comes to local produce, it's one of the ways the grocery chain saves money.

Do you actually save money shopping at Aldi? ›

At most supermarkets, you'll find tons of name-brand items, but at Aldi, a whopping 90% of the products are private label. By avoiding brand names, Aldi can skip going through another company and offer you cheaper prices. Make sure you stock up on these value items from Aldi the next time you visit.

Is Trader Joe's owned by Aldi's? ›

A popular misconception about Aldi U.S. BB #:116756 is that it's a sibling company, or at least a cousin, to Trader Joe's BB #:162286. It is not. While the two chains have some similarities, with both following a low-price, private-label-dependent strategy, they are independently owned and operated.

What's the best day to shop at Aldi's? ›

At Aldi, your best bet for shopping is Wednesdays. This is the day of the week when the grocery store chain restocks all its shelves with cheap, delicious products, and produce often goes on sale, as well.

What does Aldi do with unsold Aldi finds? ›

We strive to never let good food go to waste. With this in mind, our stores and warehouses are partnered with a local food bank to redistribute unsaleable products still safe for consumption, to limit food waste and address food insecurity in our communities.

Where does Aldi's get most of their food? ›

Within the United States, Aldi sources its products both domestically and from abroad. Aldi's products are made in China, the United Kingdom, and Germany, among others. However, it should be fairly easy to determine which products are made in the United States and which are imported internationally.

What is the sister store to Aldi? ›

As Eat This, Not That explains, California-based Trader Joe's and its 557 U.S. stores (per ScrapeHero) are a subsidiary of German chain Aldi Nord, the sibling company of Aldi Süd, which Americans know simply as Aldi, the home of such fan-favorite house brands as Mama Cozzi's pizzas, Clancy's snacks, and Winking Owl ...

Does Aldi own Trader Joe's? ›

ALDI and Trader Joe's do not share the same parent company, have no joint ownership, and are independently operated. But, the two stores do share a common family heritage.

Is Aldi like Trader Joe's? ›

Aldi is for customers looking for major savings and the absolute lowest grocery prices, and Trader Joe's is for customers willing to pay a premium for specialized products. Both chains use their private-label brands in pursuit of these distinct groups of shoppers.

Why is Aldi good different? ›

If you've ever been to ALDI, you'll know we're not your average supermarket. We've never been satisfied with the status quo, or doing things that other supermarkets do. By doing things differently, we can provide top quality products at the lowest prices. That's why we call it Good Different.

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