Most of you have heard me talk about a store that I loved in both Germany and Ohio called ALDI. Before now, the closest store to us here in North Texas was in Oklahoma - not exactly conducive to a regular grocery shopping trip (at least not for me). About two years ago, it was announced that ALDI would be moving into North Texas, and I began searching the internet, local news, and the ALDI corporate site for more information. Finally, this past week, our local ALDI store and several other locations opened.
And the heavens opened, with choirs of angels singing.
Seriously. I am SO not kidding.
I have a serious LOVE of ALDI, and oh how I have missed our relationship. It's been a long 9 years (9 years!!! Can you believe it? WOW!). ALDI is a grocery chain that started in Germany, and has branched out internationally, including here in the USA. They're a cost conscious company with many environmental and cost saving ideas built right into their business model. From having to deposit a quarter to use a grocery cart (don't worry! You get it back when you return the cart!), to having the customer bag their own purchases, all the way down to requiring the customer to bring their own bags for their purchases - ALDI did cost savings before the economy required it, and before it was cool to be green.
Friday night, Steve and I went to our local ALDI (Keller, TX) to check it out and do some shopping. (I know, you're jealous of how romantical we are, aren't you?) We managed to spend just over $100, but we stocked up on several pantry items that we use regularly.
After leaving, I wondered just how much of a price difference there was. Don't get me wrong, I knew looking at the prices that they were significantly less, but wasn't sure just how much less. So, I took the time to revisit my store comparison table, and updated it with ALDI's prices. The table below only compares ALDI with Wal-mart. My previous table included Target, Albertsons, a
nd Kroger but sadly it is too out of date to use for now. I will revisit their costs later and report back my findings.
Just so you're not caught surprised, ALDI carries only 1,400 or so of the most frequently purchased grocery and household items, of which nearly all are ALDI select brands. In short, you can't use it for everything (well, I guess you could really). Every price in my comparison below is of the ALDI and Walmart brand and of the same size.
ALDI Prices versus Wal-Mart Prices
* indicates that Walmart did not have a store brand of the item, so the name brand price was used.
In short, I will be doing quite a bit of my shopping at ALDI - and I couldn't be MORE excited to see the difference in my budget.
P.S. Yes, you should bring your own bags. However, I highly suggest you purchase the large bags they have for sale. They are $1.99 each, and I was incredibly shocked at how amazing they worked for my canned items. And, if you know me, you KNOW i know how to pack a bag or a box. Their bags are made to work!
6 comments:
That's so funny to read living in Germany and having Aldi at every corner and you know what?
I miss my Walmart!!!
It closed 2 years ago and was my favorite super market for a decade. In Germany all the things that you listed, like having to bring your own bags, or buying it, or like putting a quarter in the shopping cart and get it back when you bring the cart back and all the other environmental things you mentioned and many more are standard for a long time already and every super market has it, Walmart had it too and a much bigger & better choice of cheap and normal priced goods and the whole shop was so much nicer. For me there are exactly 5 things I buy at Aldi, that's all. Well canned goods for example aren't really good sellers in Germany anymore. They are not fresh/healthy and not environmental friendly so Germans don't buy them much, we prefer to buy or veggies fresh or frozen with only a few exceptions.
Anyway I think it's good for a German brand to get such a warm welcome in Texas *smiles*
Wishing you always happy shopping at ALDI and please send Walmart back to North Germany!
Carola
Hmmm, here we have an Aldi just up the street and I have never gone in. I like the idea of supporting a smaller chain than WalMart. And it is cheaper. I will give it a try.
I love Aldi, Globus, InterMarche...any German grocery store. Well, I love just about any grocery store. I do miss the Aldi..I was so excited when one came to Birmingham and then we moved a year after that. :) I have many German grocery bags to tote my goods..they collect up after you buy way more than your backpack will hold. :) I'm glad that you shared Aldi with the rest of the gals....I know the real reason you like it...German goods that you can't find elsewhere. :) Now go stock up on cool German Easter goods.
good to know!! thx
I have shopped aldi's for over 20 years and love it!
Thanks for a reminder of how much I do save!
The heavens opening up and singing....a perfect example of how I felt when I first shopped Aldi a few months back. My kids LOVE Aldi...we now eat well on our budget. It truly saved us!!
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