Aldi Stores: The New Face of Discount Grocery
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Many stores claim to be discount grocery stores, but very few live up to the promise. In this economy, supermarkets are often the only stop we'll make and we expect them to stock everything we need at the lowest prices. Tempting us with everything from exclusive membership benefits to free gas, the fight for our hard earned money is not easily won. Consumers need new ways to stretch a dollar, save a dollar, and get more for the dollar. We need consistant discounts when we buy our groceries and we don't want to jump through hoops to get them! My family could not have survived over the last 7 years if I had not discovered Aldi discount grocery stores.
It started out as my little secret. If, by chance, the name came up in conversation with other struggling shoppers, we were like conspirators or members of a secret club. I guess it goes back to the onus of having generic foods in your kitchen. Memories of yellow and black labels, "government cheese" that some of us have from childhood. Those things meant you were poor and it was embarrassing to have them or to see them. Comedians still joke about it. I kinda felt that way when I first started shopping at Aldi's. I don't anymore. In fact, if you're not shopping at Aldi's for at least half of your groceries, you are being rooked.
Aldi Inc. is a part of the Sud Division of the Aldi Company out of Germany but it operates independently in the United States. The first U.S. stoer opened in Iowa in 1976. The corporate headquarters is in Batavia, Illinois and it has over 1000 discount grocery stores spanning from the East Coast to most of the Midwest including Texas, Iowa and Kansas. Visit http://www.shopaldismart.com for store locator.
There is no membership card. No 2-for-1 deals. No weekly advertised specials. There are no cafes, bakeries, or butcher counters. I've only ever seen about 5 people working in the store at a time. The stores, although generally neat and clean, are not pretty or luxorious. The dry merchandise is displayed in the cut-out boxes they were shipped in, for the most part. Most of the produce is in bins that sit on the floor (potatoes, onions) or on tables. You deposit a quarter for your shopping cart and you bring your own recycled bags or purchase them for a dime each. You bag your own groceries at the thoughtfully provided counter which spans the width of the check-out area. This is "no frills" shopping.
Just in the time I've been shopping there, the selection of items has roughly trippled. 95% of the items are Aldi private label products. Popular name brand items are usually a "special purchase" and offered at a substantial discount. You can find just about anything you would at any other store but, depending on your region, may prefer to purchase some select items elsewhere. I still purchase some cuts of meat, fresh seafood, and some produce at my neighborhood store. Aside from that, the selection is amazing, especially for a discount store! We recently tried alot of the "Fit & Active" products which is Aldi's diet, healthy line. The frozen dinners were surprisingly flavorful, and we got hooked on the snacks. I could give product, by product evaluations all day but, it suffices to say, try as much as possible. They have a "Double Back Guarantee" on ALL of their merchandise.
Just so you know, there's no "affiliate agreement" with Aldi. I don't know how we would have survived without that store. Now, more than ever, we all need help with the rising costs of food. I strongly suggest you give it a try if you have one near you. If you don't, they are expanding all over the country and moving into more affluent areas than they previously opened. This company really makes good on its "discount grocery" promise.
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Haven heard or seen any of them yet. sounds good though, people don't realize that every time they step foot in a "fancy store" they are paying extra for it. Give me the no frills plenty in stock joint anyday. Thanks for the info.
We have one here in Maryland. We will be checking it out.
WOW! You guys are making me feel so loved! Thank you Pete, Teresa and Thinking!
Teresa - They are in the South, as far down as Florida. Go to their site and check the locator!
Same for you, Thinking!
It's worth the time and trip, Pete. Make sure you have a quarter handy for the cart and bring your own bags. Better still, for $1.99 you can buy a huge cloth bag there.
Lady Rogue - you are so right about Aldi's, the prices are great. Shopping is so easy there without all that extra stuff. Most grocery stores just have too much - an entire isle dedicated to potato chips - puhleeze - it's decadent. With Aldi's you are in and you are out, you don't have to hunt around for things, and don't feel long amongst the nonsense.
One of the other really great things about Aldi's is that they actually close for holidays, including Mother's Day! Think about it! A store that gives a damn about its employees. I'm more than happy to shop a day or two or three before Memorial Day. How much planning do you need for hot dogs, chips and cola anyway? I actually wish more stores would close for the holidays. If you're taken by surprise by Christmas or the Fourth of July, you most likely shouldn't be driving around anyway.
We recently got one here in Southern RI, but it's not very big. Still we do a good amount of shopping there and Price Rite gets us thru the rest, mostly. Nice hub!
That RI store was their 1000th store opened! Give it a chance, they will expand it.
This is for Aldi Store #59. address; 1177 Missouri Ave. Largo Florida. Today I brought groceries there. I purchased a box of water which contain three one gallon bottles which sell for $1.99. Because they are heavy I left them in the cart and the cashier manually keyed them into the register. After I arrived home and scanned my register recipt I noticed that she charged me for a 24 pack of spring water for $379. I called information for the phone number of that store, and like me the operator could not find one.. I am a senior citizen. I am on a tight budget, I will have to drive back there for $1.80 or lose it. With gasoline prices the way they are today that return trip is not cost effective, nor do I like giving your store $1.80 for merchandise I do not have. Why do you not have a phone number listed for the general public to contact you? .
Wow P. Ferguson - I am sorry that happened. Although it may be hard to believe, I am not an employee of Aldi Stores and this hub is in no way affiliated with the company. I would suggest visiting shopaldismart.com. I think you will find human error in any store. I appreciate the fact that they don't make you take the water out of the cart!
Lady,
I have a funny story about Aldi. I went to Indiana to take some classes. When I arrived, I saw that I had failed to pack my Deodorant. Guess what I saw across the street from where I was staying. All they had was their brand.
In the morning I went to my class, after applying my purchase, and started to feel a little burning. It took three days and a fire extinguisher to put the fire out under my arms.
Thanks for reminding me of that wonderful time in life. :)
Sorry it took me so long, Puppa! I wasn't censoring you, I swear! Just been away for a while. Sorry about that experience. Truthfully, I don't buy toiletries from Aldi's--Dollar General for that!
We had them in Michigan,MO.and Tenn. I love that store. I found some of the best import wine and foods. Their raviolis (Frozen from Italy} are the best.
I LOVE Aldi! Saved us alot of money when I was a stay-at-home mom in Indiana. They made it to Texas this year, but the closest one is still 60 miles. Once they finish with the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, hopefully they will head a little further south!
I need to know if the Aldi on SR60 in Brandon, Fl is open on Sunday and what hours.
Monica, I got a lot of information from aldi.com. They have store specific info. Thanks for stopping by!
Very interesting. I have found their corporate phone number, but not a store number.
Shopping today at Store #47 in Bradenton,FL I was charged twice one item....they do not answer their phone. I am unable to get back to the store today.
I have shopped at Aldis many time in Ocala, Fl. The service, merchandise, and prices are wonderful. I have just one complaint. No phone listed to notify the store that a defective product was purchased. The product was L'oven Fresh 8 pre-sliced 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins for $1.99. I never did open the package because mold was observed, by my wife, through the package. I live in Dunnellon which is almost 20 miles away. It may be a week or two before I am in the area again. Will I have any problems bringing in a frozen package with the receipt? Otherwise I have been more than pleased to shop at your store. Bill Samardak
Want info about the lettuce recall from Calif.
Are heart of Romaine also on the recall list?
This is from the True Leaf Farms in Salinas, Cal.
Answer soon Thanks
Teresa McGurk 2 years ago
Sounds great -- no sign of any down here in the south, though. But they could take off bigtime in this economic climate, so maybe it won't be long before they extend the franchise down here. Thanks for the information, great hub.