[Tara]

ALDI - Home page - website

The main page has links to email sign up, store locater and more!

ALDI - Home page - click About Aldis for links to Double Guarantee, FAQs & Customer Service

**UPDATED** Thanks to mysweetiepie for helping compile this information!

The Aldi's Chain is made up of two separate groups - Aldi Nord and Aldi Sud - which operate independently of each other. In 1913, the mother of brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht opened a small store near Essen, Germany. In 1946 the brothers took over their mothers store and by 1950, owned 13 stores in the region.

In 1960, the chain split over a dispute to sell or not sell cigarettes! In 1962, they introduced the Aldi brand name and legally and financially split the operations. The brothers both retired in 1993 and gave away most of their considerable wealth to foundations. Theodore and Karl, were at one time and may still be, the richest and second richest men in Germany!

The Aldi group operates approx 8200 stores. Aldi Nord is responsible for the markets in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Spain, Portugal and Denmark. Aldi Süd caters to the markets of the United States, Austria, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Switzerland and Slovenia. (Trader Joe's was acquired by Aldi Nord in 1979 from its previous owner Joe Coulombe.)

Aldi's keeps a very low overhead to help keep their prices so low. Their stores are no-frills with limited shelving (most items are offered on pallets), efficient checkouts, pay-to-use carts (with the customers quarter being returned when the cart is returned - this also helps lower employee costs as the stores do not have to use employees to recover carts in the parking lots), BYO bags, bag you own groceries, minimal advertising, etc.

Every Wednesday, Aldi's offers a specific Meat Special!

The Aldi company is very private in their business dealings but many suspect that the majority of their Aldi's brand products are actually name brand products sold in different packaging.

[cpht]

Hi everyone,
I thought I would write a quick post for those who are new or unfamiliar with Aldi. Aldi has become one of my favorite stores to shop! I can't beat their prices on milk and produce.

It's a little different shopping there however, so here are some things you should know before going.

-95% of their products are exclusive Aldi name brand:

-They do not except coupons

-They only accept cash or Debit cards

-you need to bring your own bags/boxes or you can buy reusable bags there (you bag your own groceries)

-bring a quarter for your buggy: you put a quarter in the slot to release buggy, then you get your quarter back when you return it

Note: Don't put a specific quarter in that you want to get back, because they swap out buggies at the register, so you get a quarter back, just not the same one you put in.

If you would like to read more about Aldi, you can go to there website here.

I hope this clears up some questions you may have and helps to make your first shopping experience a good one. If anyone has anything further to add, please feel free.

[Janetdup]

Good to know!! Thakx for that.

[dmyoung65]

We have a new Aldi's that just opened about a month ago. Would you recommend going there on a weekly basis? I should go just to check it out but just was wondering if it is worth my while. New single mom so I need to save where I can. 14 year old boys eat alot.

[cpht]

Originally Posted by dmyoung65

We have a new Aldi's that just opened about a month ago. Would you recommend going there on a weekly basis? I should go just to check it out but just was wondering if it is worth my while. New single mom so I need to save where I can. 14 year old boys eat alot.

I go there for all the things that I don't have a coupon deal for. I just can't beat their prices on those items. We have been very pleased with their products. If you would like to hear what others have to say about their favorite items go here:
What's Your Favorite Aldi's Products?

Let me know if I can help with anything else!

[stefani1]

I agree - prices on most things are great! I think as couponers we know our prices better than some people so you will know what things are not a deal (usually the name brand stuff they sell). I don't have one super close, but i go to it whenever I have the extra time. I'll spend $50 and get a TON more stuff than $50 would buy me at the regular grocery store without coupons. It's almost nice too - it's the store I know I can't use coupons so i'll buy things I might not normally buy as a treat... still cheaper.

[Raejacks]

Originally Posted by stefani1

I agree - prices on most things are great! I think as couponers we know our prices better than some people so you will know what things are not a deal (usually the name brand stuff they sell). I don't have one super close, but i go to it whenever I have the extra time. I'll spend $50 and get a TON more stuff than $50 would buy me at the regular grocery store without coupons. It's almost nice too - it's the store I know I can't use coupons so i'll buy things I might not normally buy as a treat... still cheaper.

Its good to know that there is a store with great deals when I dont have q's for things! I have seen Aldi but never knew what the deal was... now I do!

[Savinginstilettos]

I went to an Aldi's once on a whim and wish I would have seen this post before I went. I was soooo confused! I am excited because I hear they are putting in a couple new Aldi's in my area!

[jenstock1970]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Aldi's. They have particularly good prices on dairy items, cereal, produce, meats, and canned goods, the quality is excellent (even though it's "their brand"). I've shopped there for over a year now for every day items that I don't coupon for, and have never been disappointed in the quality.

[Niddi]

I wish I could rave about my Aldi's like most of you. I also go for things I don't have coupons for and am pleased with most things, but am very careful with the produce. I have had to drive back to return some items that were packaged (tomatoes and bell peppers) because bad spots had been turned down and it looked good until you unpacked it. I find their produce needs to be used quickly.

[dntcmr]

they take food stamps too. you might wanna add that in.

[hwalls1024]

thanks for sharing!

[lsycks]

Originally Posted by Niddi

I wish I could rave about my Aldi's like most of you. I also go for things I don't have coupons for and am pleased with most things, but am very careful with the produce. I have had to drive back to return some items that were packaged (tomatoes and bell peppers) because bad spots had been turned down and it looked good until you unpacked it. I find their produce needs to be used quickly.

I agree, I do love my Aldi, but you I have to check my produce really well and plan to use it soon. But other than that, I love my store. !

[tcsmom]

If you have the flier from Aldi (and the produce there isn't so great), Wal-Mart will price match.

[Minijump21]

I also LOVE my Aldi. We've been doing all of our grocery shopping there for about 4 years. I learned to coupon about 6 months ago. If I can get it cheaper elsewhere with my q's, great. If not, we still go to Aldi weekly for everything else. I couldn't care less about brand name, couldn't afford to. Price is what I'm after. Though with all my new couponing skills, I must say I like all my free Pantene better than Aldi shampoo, .

[stefani1]

I've started to go to Aldi over the past few weeks because the deals aren't as good in the regular supermarkets anymore. I work full time now and just don't have the same time I had to figure out deals. The only problem I have with Aldi (or myself) is that I tend to have a VERY large total at the end. I see everything and keep saying - oh we'll try that because it's only $1 or $2 and then WALLAH - My total is aroung $100. Now granted, I get tons of stuff - but I haven't spent $100 in years for my weekly grocery shopping. Nor can I afford it!

I do try 1-2 new things a week there and so far my family has loved everything (except a package of fish I bought).

I heard that Aldi was a store in Germany... anyone know if that is true? Just wondering.

[beitsbe]

Hi guys, I'm new to couponing so my question may sound very newbie butdDoes Wal Mart price check with aldis? Thanks a bunch!!

[cpht]

I have never done this personally, but I have read that others have. You may just want to call and verify. According to all the advertising I'm seeing on TV recently, you shouldn't have a problem.

HTH!

By the way, welcome to couponing! Let me know if I can help you with any other questions. Just click on my username and leave me a message.

[foodie]

Yes, Walmart will PM Aldi Foods. I usually take the ads and policies of course if needed. Walmart will PM produce (i.e. pound for pound, per each for per each, etc.) Store brand for store brand--YMMV.

Trader Joe's and Aldi Foods are owned by the same German parent company. See web site below for story details--

Trader Joe's and ALDI - Slashfood (Trader Joe's/Aldi Foods' info.)

Foodie (Katie)

[postula89]

I go to Aldi's and love the savings.

[sammilovesgymbo1]

my aldis only takes certain debit cards so be careful with that .

[Til]

can't beat the canned vegetable prices!

[Mook531]

their cereal is just as good, and sometimes better than name brands ( i loooove their "lucky charms!!"). cookies are great, and normally non name brand cookies are totally unacceptable in my world!! check out process is lightning fast. only downside i have seen is that some of their packaging doesnt hold up for chips and stuff,but even they taste great, and are worth it. definitely recommend!!! never bought meat there, though.

[Terri Shop]

I shop Aldi's regularly.

The prices are fabulous for staples, such as; sugar, flour, oil, butter, milk, eggs, cheese, and more.

I would say that the quality is good to great.

The "Aldi" brand foods DO taste different than national brands, but it is something that can be overcome. For instance; This family is addicted to Chex cereal. And, we all know that Chex cereal is pretty pricey. Aldi offers Chex-type cereals that compare in texture, but do taste a little different from the real deal. However, you get a large box for Aldi's brand "Chex" for under $2.00. And, THAT alone is worth the trip for us!

Another example would be snack chips.
Clancy's brand ( Aldi's exclusive ) potato chips is VERY comparable to Lay's brand...but at under $2.00 a bag...it's a deal at anytime of year. They also offer other snack-chip-knock-offs that give you the same great chip tastes at great savings.

Can't beat their Aldi-brand canned veggie prices. Selection is limited to cut green beans, french-style green beans, whole kernel and cream-style corn, sweet peas, spinach, sliced carrots, diced tomatoes, mushroom pieces, and some others. Under 60-cents per...yeah. Good for the budget.

Meats are very limited at all times. Not much of a selection of cuts. Not much of a quantity to choose from. I would say that the meat selection is not worth the trip, not unless you are there to buy other items.

They do have a fairly large selection of frozen foods. Most of which I can say have a "nice-price". But again, we are talking about BASICS.

The thing to remember about Aldi's is that if you shop or the "odd" or "specialty" items, you probably won't find it. If you are looking for BASICS, Aldi's is a good bargin.

And, I have to agree with the things that others have already said about their produce; dicey, at best. Everything is packaged, and you can't be sure about freshness. If you are prepared to use it that day or the next, you are probably ok. If you hope to keep it for a couple days, it's a crap-shoot.

[SLance68]

There are several things not mentioned above that are really good at Aldi.
1) Their Donut Shop Coffee in the bag is excellent.
2) Their salsa is very good along with tortillia chips at about 1/2 to 1/3 the price of regular brands.
3) They have their brand of margarine that compares and tastes like "I can't believe it's not butter" for around a dollar - yeah huge savings.
4) The majority of their "fit and active" products are great especially the yogurt - just watch the calories since they have some marked not fit & active but as low fat and it has lots of calories.
5) Block of 1 lb of butter - very good - I always get unsalted.
6) Cashews - Oh YUM - have to get a bag when I go - yeah they are not cheap but so good.
7) Frozen scallops - good price and they are good.
8) Frozen Chinese meals - stir fry and others good price and taste.