Aldi?

2Pirates2Princesses · Feb 12, 2016

havaneselover said:
Of course you don't. But the typical Aldi customer is very different from the typical Whole Foods customer. That's the article's point.

I read the article and I don't see their point for presenting these kinds of generalized shopper profiles as Whole Foods and Aldi are two distinctly different types of stores. I've never viewed Whole Foods as being an everyday grocery store to fill a grocery cart at, but more so as a specialty food store. My oldest son has autism, so years ago when it was almost impossible to find glutein-free foods in regular grocery stores, Whole Foods was one of the few places we could shop for him. So the article's projected dichotomy of who the typical shopper at one vs. the other is says nothing that would make me question the quality and value of Aldi's food and merchandise.

aprilgail · Feb 12, 2016

moesy4 said:
Love, love, love Aldi...to me, they were the true winners of the recession. We get organic ketchup, nitrate free bacon and lunch meat, wild caught frozen salmon, whole wheat pasta, tons of fruits and veggies, fruit squeezie pouches, steamable veggies, organic broths, greek yogurt, almond milk (organic), baking goods, and most snack items.\.

The Aldi by me doesn't have a deli counter so no cold cut buying there. Also the produce is never fresh, there is never more than one or two people shopping in that store any time I have been there so the turnover of products is not quick, it spoils before it sells! We go in a lot to buy things to donate to the food pantry- I didn't care for the off brand cereal personally and the frozen pizza rolls were horrible. Only items I really buy there are milk, butter and eggs- but have to check the dates carefully because many are very close to the last sell by date!

havaneselover · Feb 13, 2016

2Pirates2Princesses said:
I read the article and I don't see their point for presenting these kinds of generalized shopper profiles as Whole Foods and Aldi are two distinctly different types of stores. I've never viewed Whole Foods as being an everyday grocery store to fill a grocery cart at, but more so as a specialty food store. My oldest son has autism, so years ago when it was almost impossible to find glutein-free foods in regular grocery stores, Whole Foods was one of the few places we could shop for him. So the article's projected dichotomy of who the typical shopper at one vs. the other is says nothing that would make me question the quality and value of Aldi's food and merchandise.

Lots of people do their everyday shopping at Whole Foods. Whole Foods is pricey. So those people generally have higher incomes. The article was never intended to discuss quality or value. It was addressing the demographics of the stores' customers.

As far as quality and value, that's super subjective. I know a lot of people love it. When it came to my area I was excited. I'm a single mom on a tight budget who manages money pretty well. I read about what to buy. I know grocery prices inside out. It just didn't make sense to me as a way to save money. I'd rather pick up dominos sugar when Kroger has it on sale for $.99 than pay $1.79 for Aldi sugar.

2Pirates2Princesses · Feb 13, 2016

havaneselover said:
As far as quality and value, that's super subjective. I know a lot of people love it. When it came to my area I was excited. I'm a single mom on a tight budget who manages money pretty well. I read about what to buy. I know grocery prices inside out. It just didn't make sense to me as a way to save money. I'd rather pick up dominos sugar when Kroger has it on sale for $.99 than pay $1.79 for Aldi sugar.

I agree with that, if there are certain specific brands or products I prefer I definitely catch them when they are on sale at Target or Giant Eagle as their are grocery staples I buy at Aldi and some things I don't. I just find it interesting for some people who never once shopped at Aldi to turn their noses up at it and associate it with a lower socioeconomic class category. Our Aldi doesn't have a great deal of competition in our area so the stores are popular, bright, clean, and carry quality stuff. BTW, I have family in the Midwest and I love Kroger. They have some really great sales. Wish we had Kroger out my way!

Capang · Feb 13, 2016

TwoMisfits said:
Yes, I know...and even though they are different "chains", they have a lot of similarities...that's not always the case in corporate conglomerates (no one would say KFC and Pizza Hut have a lot in common, even though they also are the same parent company...

KFC and Pizza Hut are two businesses owned by the same conglomerate, yes. However, they don't sell the same items. Many Trader Joe items are identical to Aldi's items minus the labels. Many items certainly are the same. Those Trader Joes brand items are the exact same product manufactured the same way, at the same time, in the same place as Aldi's brand items. So it's not quite like KFC and Pizza Hut.

manning · Feb 13, 2016

ericstac said:
Wow all the ALDI love in here lol. my experience is not the same...

first off, i didn't know what ALDI was when it popped up. I heard it was less expensive so I dropped by one day to buy a few items I needed and to check it out..

No quarter was shocked I didn't have another option to get a cart but I had my 5 yr old with me so we made due. lol.
Inside the place doesnt have a happy vibe. It's like shopping at a dollar store, everyone is all pissy feeling.
I was able to find the frozen waffles I went there for and they were just what I needed, they are an ALDI brand so I can only get them there.
The other few items I got ended up costing the same if not more than my local HEB.
Checking out luckily I had cash to cover the few items I got because I expected a credit card option lol.
Then the check out lady didn't bag my items because they don't have bags so my son and I had to carry them off in our hands lol.. again I didn't know.

I went back a few times because the waffles fit my macros at the time and I craved them but after that I quit. It wasn't worth it to me and the experience was just blah.. much happier going to HEB and seeing smiling faces.. now someone posted something about dollar eggs and 1.50 milk or something like that. WOW! that is a bit cheaper and I guess if I was to save 50% like some have said I might consider going there.

Got a dollar bill? Go inside and get change.
Got a bag? Bring it. Now you know. Also they sell reusable bags. This is universal with all grocery stores.

As far as prices. I know someone who loves Costo. She said like everything else you have to know the prices. Some items will be lower, some items will be higher. Like someone here stated about sugar at .99 vs 1.99 you go for the .99. Sugar is sugar.

I shop all stores and even have bought store brand without any noticeable difference if any. The difference? The price.

Capang · Feb 13, 2016

The area I live in hasn't had much competition in the grocery department. The area is fairly affluent, although my immediate family doesn't fit that category. We have Giant Eagle and it is great to shop while my daughter plays at Eagles Nest. But it is pricey. My last trip of groceries for a week, for a family of 3, was $250. I bought a pound of chicken, a pound of beef, bread, stuff for lunches and fruits and veggies and some tp and other paper products. We got a superwalmart last year and the Walmart prices were higher than Giant Eagle. I can shop at Marcs and get everything for about $200 but it is not as convenient. So when Aldi's opened their doors I had to check it out. I usually spend about $50 at Aldi's. Then I can get whatever I still need at marcs for about $100. And that lasts me two weeks. That's $150 for two weeks. So now instead of $250 a week I spend about $75 a week. It costs me more time but the savings is so worth it for us. We have extra money to put towards things like Disney trips.

There are a few things I still shop Giant Eagle for but I wait for sales. And our Aldi has all kinds of shoppers. Everyone likes to save money, even the rich folks.

It takes time to "learn"Aldi's. You do have to watch ads and know what's cheaper elsewhere. It can be hard to find things at Aldi's. Go a few times. Ask other shoppers for help. Ours has a huge selection of organic everything, gluten free stuff and tons of other special diet items. Organic blueberries at Giant Eagle were $4.99 last week. Got them at Aldi's for 1.99. I know it is not the same in all markets/regions.

Jaime4004 · Feb 13, 2016

I'm totally an Aldi's convert. They just opened up here this year. I have no loyalty to any store, I shop wherever has the best sales for the things I need that week. And we are not brand specific people, so Aldi's works. There are a few things that are more expensive than I can get on sale at other places but for the most part, for the staples, they are significantly cheaper. The store I shop at is clean, bright and new. People are very friendly. Smaller, obviously, than other grocery stores but I like it that way, it's quicker. I don't need 28 brands of the same product at all different prices. I'll just take the cheapest.

And we live in a fairly upper middle class area, so that's who is shopping there along with me. I can afford to pay higher prices, but why would I? I'd rather give my money to Disney

To each his own!

aprincessatlast · Apr 10, 2016

So I am resurrecting this thread because I posted on it a few months ago to say I tried it and was not a huge fan. However I must say I need to eat my words!

I think it just takes time to explore the store and offerings. I like to grocery shop again! At the encouragement of some friends who know "food" I kept trying it. They started taking credit cards and since we shop with those for rewards we gave it another go. I googled best buys and tried those items. I have weaned my kids off the name brands and love seeing things like "no synthetic coloring" or "no antibiotic or hormones" "made in Holland....Belgium...England....Germany" etc. The produce is hit or miss depending on the location I learned. Honestly there are times when I feel I was dumb for being duped for years into the whole "marketing of name brands and stores". I don't mean for that to come off condescending but to say those advertisers are good! There are times though when those brands do deliver. Sure there are things that I totally do not like at Aldi's like the american cheese but they have Kraft there for a reason, so I just pick that up. I have drastically reduced my grocery bill and love to entertain again as I know it will not cost me an arm and a leg to do so. I do miss my fancy Fresh Market Grocery store at times as I am a sucker for a classy store with ambiance but I have really learned to appreciate my new German style store.

robinb · Apr 11, 2016

aprincessatlast said:
So I am resurrecting this thread because I posted on it a few months ago to say I tried it and was not a huge fan. However I must say I need to eat my words!

I know how you feel! I used to stick my nose up at Aldi's but not anymore! I'm off to do your Google search for more things to try

.

ellie05 · Apr 11, 2016

Capang said:
KFC and Pizza Hut are two businesses owned by the same conglomerate, yes. However, they don't sell the same items. Many Trader Joe items are identical to Aldi's items minus the labels. Many items certainly are the same. Those Trader Joes brand items are the exact same product manufactured the same way, at the same time, in the same place as Aldi's brand items. So it's not quite like KFC and Pizza Hut.

They open an Aldis here and everyone was so exited and to be honest now that I been in it I don't understand. Their products are just not that great. We found most of it be stuff we don't buy or eat cereal, cake mix, lunch meat, more process stuff. Their products were anything but fresh except for their organic bananas. We end up leaving with Brie cheese and organic bananas that was it. Just not worth the extra trip. We have gone in it 3 times just to make sure we didn't catch them in an off week, no same thing every time. In fact we were there this weekend and had to go somewhere else because their organic spinach was all wilted.

As far as Aldis carrying the same stuff than trader joes we didn't find a single thing that they had in common. No fair trade organic coffee, no even a comparison in salad dressing. Not the milk, not the cheese, not the lotion or even the frozen stuff.

kydisneyfans · Apr 11, 2016

I keep trying Aldi and outside of a few items, it's a waste of time. Produce is spotty at best. They advertise something, and it's NEVER in stock. Raspberries were $1.49, they were an off brand and went bad within 24 hours. Another grocer had Driscoll berries for $2 and they lasted all week. Twice 5 lb bags of red potatoes were advertised at .99, never were they in stock. One item bought was the 20 pk organic fruit strips-those were discontinued 2 weeks ago. Milk remains a good price.

It all depends on area and competition whether Aldi is a good value or not. We used to live in Giant Eagle territory, Aldi was a good value. Now we have Kroger/Meijer, Aldi prices aren't that much cheaper to warrant an extra trip there. Bread/buns is .03 cheaper at Aldi, canned veggies are the same price. Sugar, cereal, butter, cheese are all better prices at the others on sale.

zoo2tycoon · Apr 11, 2016

I LOVE Aldi! I just bought 6 outdoor chair cushions last week. They were in the ad. I paid $5.99 each, they are nice and thick and made of nice fabric. Looking at other places that was almost half the price of the cheap stores. I have bought plants there and they are beautiful. I have the app on my phone and on Wednesday when the ads come out the next week 'specials' are on the app. I always look and see what there is. I know this week they have some nice looking planters. I plan on going and looking at. The broccoli (frozen) is fantastic....florets only. A couple weeks ago on Friday and Saturday they had it half off so 49 cents a bag for broccoli florets. I bought the limit of 4 and so did my son. Avocados were on sale that week too, 44 cents or something. My local Meijer had them 99 cents each.

I don't do huge shopping there, but do usually hit there every couple of weeks.

happy2012 · Apr 11, 2016

The cereal,snacks,milk,eggs,veggies,breads are all good!

aprincessatlast · Apr 11, 2016

ellie05 said:
As far as Aldis carrying the same stuff than trader joes we didn't find a single thing that they had in common. No fair trade organic coffee, no even a comparison in salad dressing. Not the milk, not the cheese, not the lotion or even the frozen stuff.

I totally understand. I do think it depends on location. As far some saying it is the same as Trader Joe's. They do have some of the same stuff but it is in different packaging. Not all the same but there are some items.

Aldi's does carry fair trade coffee in the kcups not sure about the ground coffee though. I am not a huge Trader Joe's fan as I always found it to be mostly frozen stuff like many mention about Aldis' lol. To each his own though.

Kriii · Apr 12, 2016

I purchase mainly organic and non-GMO foods and Aldi´s is one of my go to places. I usually get certain staples, such as organic produce , frozen organic fruit, non-GMO milk, the Aldi brand of shredded wheat cereal etc then head over to Earthfare or Whole Foods for the rest of my groceries. It does save me some money. Look on their website for information about the ingredients.

Dakota731 · Apr 12, 2016

My favorites buys this week - strawberries for $1.19! And the best Girl Scout type chocolate peanut butter cookies for $1.49 three times cheaper and taste identical!

hsmamato2 · Apr 12, 2016

I love Aldi more and more...as a family who has eaten GF and OG (mostly) for many many years....the grocery scene gets better and better! Whole foods is RIDICULOUS in their pricing...and I am SO thankful I'm no longer held hostage to them when looking for higher quality foods! (in the past I had a choice of WF or a food co-op truck which was such a pain but I had to cut costs) Then We got Trader Joes...... YAY! Mostly excellent foods,lower cost!!! Then we got Aldi,which over the past few years has gotten better and better foods stocked (I love European standard foods, they are much cleaner to begin with) and now the OG and GF items in Aldi are AMAZING. Add to that I can use my cc to pay,and it's even with Costco as my fave food store. The OG items are amazing, and Aldi just crossed my last threshold by carrying OG eggs too. I already buy OG milk, Almond Milk,etc at Aldi.Now in between my massive Costco runs I can easily grab a dozen OG eggs for the same price! I don't buy much processed foods, and the meats and cheeses I buy are basic,simple,'real' foods only. I will buy deli style packaged turkey for the convenience of packing lunches, as long as the ingredient list is minimal,and no nitrates. Aldi has all these things! (They still carry plenty of junkier food I won't buy) The demographic for Whole Foods is IMHO 'willing to pay more $ for the same food you can get elsewhere'....simple as that. In my local stores the produce is usually just fine also.

Jaime4004 · Apr 12, 2016

Dakota731 said:
My favorites buys this week - strawberries for $1.19! And the best Girl Scout type chocolate peanut butter cookies for $1.49 three times cheaper and taste identical!

I love those cookies. They are addicting so I have to limit my Aldi's trips.

Anesthesia Fine · Apr 12, 2016

I was never a frequent Aldi shopper (the one that had been closest to me was in an inconvenient location, though whenever I went in I enjoyed it) but they've since opened one a lot closer and actually helped the local economy a lot by re-hiring a lot of folks that had been employed at the Bottom Dollar that had gone out of business in the same location. Our family doesn't have any dietary restrictions, so I like stocking up on snacks there for my three bottomless pits. Whether something is organic or conventional is not a priority, but I usually do prefer the produce at our Wegmans. Though I am not opposed if something looks good!

Aldi?

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