7 Things You Need to Know Before You Shop at Aldi
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For many shoppers who are serious about spending less on groceries. Here, you’ll find everything you need for navigating your first trip to ALDI. Be prepared before you head to Aldi.
Things You Need to Know Before You Shop at Aldi
It is no secret I love to Shop At Aldi.
You will be surprised that I shop there weekly and have been shopping at Aldi for many, many years now.
I have put together this post to help you understand 7 Things You Need To Know Before You Shop. Aldi has a unique way of doing things that can seem weird at first, but there’s a reason why they choose to operate the way they do.
First, you will notice that Aldi, they off a bare-bones look approach. Similar to shopping club stores. The reason they choose to remove all the aesthetics is so they can pass along the savings to you. Aldi’s emphasis isn’t on all the extras.
This means you will need to know a few things about how they manage. One of my favorite things about shopping at Aldi, besides the pricing, is that they offer their brands foods with no synthetic colors, nitrates, added MSG, and partially hydrogenated oils. Isn’t that amazing?
About Aldi Grocery Store
Aldi has been around since 1961, when the first store opened in Germany. Aldi US has been around for 40 years. Started as a small family business by the Albrecht brothers.
They grew up in a family store that had to have competitive prices to stay in business. Aldi has always believed in the best product for the best prices. There are no frills, but the products are quality and you can wake away with money left in your budget.
Best Tips for Shopping At Aldi
Always have a quarter on hand
At Aldi, there are never any shopping carts in the parking lot. Why? Well, it takes a quarter to get a shopping cart.
Everyone wants their quarter back, so people tend to return the cart to the bay. You get your quarter back and the parking lot is empty of all carts! This allows Aldi to keep their prices low since they don’t have to have an employee fetching carts all day!
Expect a Super Quick Checkout Process
At Aldi, do not expect to be standing in the checkout lane for very long. Employees train for speed and that is a fact! Cashiers will scan items at such lightning speed that it may be tricky to load your groceries onto the conveyor belt as quickly as they’re taken off.
And you may have already noticed, but on each Aldi brand, product packaging contains a lot of bar codes.
This was done on purpose. It makes it much easier for your cashier to swipe your grocery past their scanner (super smart idea). Even produce is already packaged with a barcode to prevent pausing to look up an item in the system.
Aldi cashiers also do not bag your groceries, which saves a lot of time. Instead, expect to bag your groceries in an area away from the checkout line. It makes the checkout process a breeze.
They offer what is called a “Twice As Nice”
Aldi has the best refund policy. You see, if you are dissatisfied with any of their products, they will refund your money AND replace the item you bought.
Now, that’s what I call a win-win situation! Luckily, I have not had to use this guarantee, but it is great to shop somewhere that stands behind all of their products.
They call this their “Twice as Nice” guarantee. Here are the details from their website: “If for any reason you are not 100% satisfied with any product, we will gladly replace the product AND refund your money”.
To receive your refund, the product packaging and any unused product must be returned to your local ALDI Store Manager. However, this policy only applies to food.
Shop Aldi Produce Picks Sale
Each week Aldi features its “produce picks of the week”. This is my favorite thing about Aldi – their produce! Not only is their produce typically cheaper than other local stores, but it tastes great!
One word of advice; shop earlier in the day for produce. First, the produce picks of the week often “fly off the shelf”
Depending on your region, either Sunday or Wednesday is the best day of the week to head to Aldi. These are the days that fresh produce goes on sale and new products hit the shelves. Here in the NorthEast Sunday is our best day.
Shop Aldi Branded Products
Shop Aldi Branded products. Did you know that many of their products are re-branded products? They buy overstocks from other companies. Many companies (private label brands) are making products for ALDI. Really!!!
It is the SAME food that manufacturers make for other grocery store private label brands, as well as the many national brands. Did you know that 90% of Aldi branded items are these privately labeled items? They pay for their labeling costs.
By developing their labels for unlabeled products, Aldi lowers their costs and in turn, passes those savings to the consumer by providing products at a cheaper price. Another reason to love shopping at Aldi.
You can save as much as 50 percent when you buy Aldi’s private-label foods instead of the big-name brands.
Expect a Super Quick Shopping Trip
Aldi is one place where you can expect to head in and out in less than 30 minutes. A major reason you’ll grab groceries faster is due to the store’s smaller floor plan (Typically around 10,000 – 12,000 sq feet).
That is a lot fewer steps you have to make going up and down the aisles. They also do not offer a huge amount of variety. Want to buy spaghetti sauce?
You will probably only find two brands and a few different flavors. For you, this makes decisions happen a lot quicker. They know that their customers don’t want to spend forever shopping for groceries. So they keep customers happy with these timesaving strategies.
Great Deals on Organic Products & Dietary needs
Aldi stocks many items with organic options. You can get carrots, apples, and bananas that are organic. You have organic meat options in steaks and ground beef.
Adli is offering many great options for those who have dietary needs such as gluten intolerance. In fact, within the last year, they have increased their organic, natural, and gluten-free lines.
Consumers have spoken, and Adli has listened. Their natural/organic line is called Simply Natural and their gluten-free foods are under the live gFree line. Aldi continues to add products to the organic shelves, so be on the lookout for these items. I hope these tips will help you better Shop At Aldi!
Other Grocery Saving Tips
5 Tips on How to Save Big At the Grocery Store Each Week
Six Budget Busting Foods – That are costing you more money!
Freezer Cook Like a Pro! – Easy Tips To Get Started
I honesty can say that i really like aldi, but there is one problem i been trying to get the staionary bike stand for 2 years and i am never able to get it , i bought the carpet shampoo vaccum and it stoped working they let me return it , it worked but i did not have it replaced, i buy the salmon the chicken , i bought watermelon bought the ribs they are to die for when you can get them the coconut coffee creamer is great i love clancy products they have the best stron tinfoil i really like boulder products.
I shop at Aldi’s before I shop anywhere else. I can find everything I need at my local Aldi’s and if they are out of something it’s only a short drive to another location. Rarely do I need to shop other stores. The produce is excellent and they have the best prices. The selection of German foods, especially around the holidays is a big bonus…I’m German and it reminds me of my mom.
Thank you, Tara for your comment. I just love Aldi too. You are right! you can find all if not most of what you need at Aldi. AND HANDS DOWN produce is the best and the BEST prices.
You’re absolutely right about their produce. Me and my Shih Tzu are vegetarians and great produce is very important. The peppers, grapes, lettuce, broccoli, potatoes, cauliflower, avacados, etc. are all great. One faux pas – their garlic bulbs are too small for me – I’m Italian!
Their cream cheese, butter, and other cheeses have untouchable prices by the Big Guys. I found a great price on Bone Broth that I use for soup when I don’t make my own, and herbs, spices, baking supplies.
I still have other “avenues” to explore, but my trips to Aldi’s have gone from $15.00/week to about $70.00! A big savings over the big guys….use them half as much as I used to!
Great pricing, product, and a very helpful, great staff!
Completely agree with you all of it… Dairy is so expensive elsewhere. So glad you are a dedicated Aldi shopper. Our family just loves it there.
Love Aldi. Thx for increasing ur GF products. Ur prices are the best 4 GF foods.
THE LAST TIME I SHOPPED AT ALDIS I PURCHASED CLEMENTINES AND MUSHROOMS THAT WENT BAD WITHIN 3 DAYS OF PURCHASE. I NOTICED THAT A LOT OF THE PRODUCE INS’T REFRIGERATED LIKE IT IS IN OTHER STORES. I WISH I HAD KNOWN ABOUT THE DOUBLE MONEY BACK GUARANTEE THEN. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD ISSUES WITH THEIR PRODUCE? I HAVE ONLY SHOPPED THERE A HANDFUL OF TIMES SINCE WALMART DISCONTINUED THEIR AD MATCH POLICY.
Hi Christina,
I shop their weekly for my produce and have personally have never had any issues. You do have to check your produce before purchasing. I always suggest going in the morning instead of the afternoon as all the good produce has been picked over.