Many love to do their grocery shopping at Aldi, and it’s easy to see why. They have a great selection and amazingly low prices. But anytime we see something that seems too good to be true, it can cause concern. So why is Aldi produce so cheap?
I decided to look into it and here’s what I learned:
Aldi keeps produce prices low by buying locally, saving on transportation costs, and only selling pre-packaged items eliminating the need for scales, and cutting back on needing employees to regularly cull produce for bruised items.
Aldi produce, as with most of their store is designed to be the best price in town.
And there are actually other things they do to keep prices low aside from just eliminating the scales. So in this article, we’ll look at where they get their produce, and other steps they take to keep prices down.
But we’ll also look at whether that compromises quality.
So, let’s get started.
Great produce section! #aldi pic.twitter.com/IShGPD7bDl
— ckrusch (@ckrusch) June 20, 2013
Is produce good at Aldi?
Produce at Aldi is of acceptable quality, and they have a variety of basic produce items available including some organically-grown items. However, freshness is not always at its peak, and because everything is pre-packaged, you cannot buy just 1 of something.
You can buy a variety of fruits at the store.
There are organic ones, too. The problem is that, at times, some of the fruits may not be as fresh as one would like, and you may discover, to your chagrin, that a few days after you’ve bought them, they’re already going bad!
Produce at the store is pre-packaged, and they’re in bulk-sizes, which might not be ideal if you just want a few. The bulk-sized packages are okay for families but not necessarily cool for singles.
But, I am not trying to generalize nor give you a wrong impression.
And, I am not suggesting all their produce is bad. This may not be true for all their stores. You just need to be more selective when you’re at their produce section.
So, let’s look at some produce you can buy from the store and those you shouldn’t.
Pineapple, mango, kiwi, and their veggies are good, but their bananas, tomatoes, and garlic leave a lot to be desired.
There are times the produce section seems to be a meeting ground for fruit flies!
The key problem seems to be how to keep the produce fresh. Aldi’s produce section is often near the entrance. This could be affecting the produce because the temperature changes, as folks come and go — they have to open the doors.
And interestingly, fruit flies, while maybe common at Aldi, and in many of our homes, isn’t usually a problem in most grocery stores.
And the reason most grocery stores don’t have fruit fly issues blew my mind! I detail the reasons in a recent article. So click the link to read it on my site.
Fortunately, Aldi is addressing the problem, starting with its new stores.
The produce section’s size will be increased, and it’d also be located in a more central part of the store. It’d feature huge refrigeration sections for salad greens and fruits that need cooler temperatures.
If the Aldi store where you shop or intend to shop hasn’t introduced the new changes, I’ll suggest you get produce elsewhere. At least if quality is more important to you than price.
My @AldiUSA haul!Organic items:beef,beans,snacks,salsa, pasta sauce,dressings,diced tomatoes,tacos,chili,pasta& sauces,burgers,chicken,fruits, salads,eggs,cheese,milk,water, frozen meals,WINE,cookies.$250+ at other stores.Aldi total? $141.00! #aldinerd ❤️ pic.twitter.com/CT0RE0Y29m
— RobynsRantics (@RobynsRantics) January 26, 2020
How is Aldi so cheap?
Aldi, like its sister store, Trader Joe’s keeps prices low by operating on a low-expense business model. They primarily sell their own private label items, don’t offer employee discounts and have minimal design and decor in their stores.
Aldi differs from most of the other stores.
It’s known for efficiency, which is reflected in how they manage and operate their stores. The following are some of the differences which enable the chain to offer really low prices.
But let’s expand in greater detail on what I just said above:
1. 95% of what they sell is under their own private label
Virtually all its products are manufactured under its own brand names. So, it can control the costs and pass on the savings to consumers. Contrast this to what happens in most other stores.
They have to buy and stock brand name products, which are almost always more expensive.
2. Their selection is smaller
It doesn’t offer consumers an array of choices, seeing it has its own stock and does not carry many name brands. While other stores often order about 40,000 types of products.
Aldi orders 2000, and because it’s ordering from a limited number of suppliers, it gets huge discounts, which leads to lower prices.
3. They don’t have fancy megastores
Aldi’s stores are a no-frills affair. They’re not about aesthetics; they’re practically functional and minimalist. Naturally, they cost less, and on the whole, contribute to the store’s relatively lower overhead.
4. Shelf- stocking doesn’t take much time
The products arrive in the store in shelf-ready packaging, so they go directly to the shelves.
Other stores usually unload theirs first, and then their staff stacks them on the shelves. It’s evident that Aldi has a time and labor advantage here.
5. There are no staff discounts
Some stores offer about 20%-30% discount to their staff.
This affects their cost structure. So, they tend to charge higher prices. But, Aldi doesn’t offer discounts to staff. Its prices are already very cheap.
However, Aldi provides some other benefits to its staff to compensate for the lack of discounts for their own employees.
#Sandhurst: Aldi supermarket opening date and opening times
Shoppers keen to pick up a bargain at the discount food store will be able to visit seven days a week. https://t.co/VbeUA16sUV pic.twitter.com/ibNPbk3DdK
— frankschippers (@FrankSchippers) October 27, 2020
Is produce cheaper at Aldi or Walmart?
Aldi’s produce is cheaper than Walmart’s. Aldi’s overhead is much lower than Walmart’s due to its smaller store size and a much more limited selection, so it can afford to pass the savings to consumers.
Grocery buying is one of those small things that could have a huge impact on your finances when you take a long-term perspective.
This is one of the reasons to comparison-shop. Ultimately you can save a lot of money. Fortunately, for us all, the internet and the availability of some apps have made things easier.
In the preceding subheading, I shared some of the reasons why the store’s prices are one of the lowest in the industry.
So, it follows that it’d be able to offer produce at a low cost, relative to its competitors, right? In a nutshell, Based on my research on produce sold by grocery stores, Aldi almost always becomes cheaper.
Besides knowing which store is cheaper, one other thing you might be interested in is how do grocery stores keep their fruits fresh, right?
I took the time to share the process in a recent article of mine. It has a lot of interesting info that’s only known to folks who work in the industry.
The following are the issues I wrote about: how old are the fruits we see in these stores, why are bananas always looking fresh, how is cut fruit stored, how are the fruits preserved, are fruits bought in these stores healthy for consumption, and how does preservation affect them.
Just click the link to read it on my page.
Stopped in at @AldiUSA today and picked up some items. Love their organic section. #Aldi #aldiusa #organic #fruits pic.twitter.com/t6EEOUCrLm
— Stephanie-Outgoing (@OutgoingLady1) July 25, 2015
Does Aldi sell cheap organic produce?
Yes, Aldi does have low-priced organically-grown produce. Aldi has their own “Simply Nature” organic label, under which it sells a variety of produce.
As with all organic items, these are non-GMO and are also without additives and preservatives.
The following are examples of some of what it also offers: 1. Gluten-free products under the LiveGFree line 2. Vegetarian and vegan products under the Earth Grown line 3. Bolthouse Farms juices 4. GT’s synergy kombucha.
I thought it’s nice that I also share a list of most of the cheap organic produce you’ll find at the store.
- Arugula
- Avocadoes
- Apples
- Banana
- Carrot
- Potatoes
- Kale
- Pepper
- Oranges
- Tomatoes
Most people would love cheap produce, so Aldi is a great choice. But I figured some folks might be interested in who produces the best quality and knows that we get what we pay for.
Whole Foods is an excellent choice if you’re not overly concerned about savings.
It’s known by many that you’ll need to spend quite a bit more at Whole Foods. But why? That’s what I took on in a recent article of mine.
In the article, I wrote about how much Whole Foods cost, price comparisons, accusations of overpricing, and whether it’s more expensive than Walmart, Trader Joe’s, or Sprouts.
Is Whole Foods cheaper than Amazon Prime? Is it cheaper now that it’s been bought by Amazon? What is its pricing strategy, and what makes it better or different?
All these are answered by simply clicking the link to read it on my site.
@AldiUSA #ALDIFridgeFill #entry My fav study snacks are healthy ones! Aldi has a great produce section! pic.twitter.com/6TZOSu2KOj
— Holly (@prismperfect) July 29, 2016
Where is Aldi produce from?
Aldi’s produce is sourced exclusively in the U.S. In fact, some stores buy from local farmers close to them. The company’s website states that its fresh produce is sourced locally and stocked on a daily basis.
It’s known that some of Aldi’s products are from China.
So that makes people wonder if its produce is from China too, or if they get some supplies from there. First off, it’s natural that we’d like to know where the produce we eat comes from.
It’s a smart and responsible thing to do. After all, there are potential health implications. Luckily, no; Aldi does not get any of their produce from China.
You might also be interested in how Aldi gets its meat, right?
Does it really buy meat from China? You’re in luck because, in a recent article of mine, I gave the low down.
In it, I shared info such as what kind of meat Aldi sells, whether it buys its meat from China, the quality of the meat, why its meat is so cheap, if it sells USDA beef, and there was a video on why grocery stores change their layout. The article is packed full of exciting stuff. Be sure to check it out.
Just click the link to read it on my site.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Aldi is never going to have the largest or freshest selection of produce in town.
But then, that was never their goal.
Aldi does, however, have decent produce at rock bottom prices that usually even beat Walmart. And unlike Walmart, you can get in and out quickly.
The biggest downside with their produce is not where it’s from, but rather that it’s all pre-packaged so you can’t just buy 1 of something.
See you in the aisles!
Photo which requires attribution:
Aldi by F Delventhal is licensed under CC2.0
FAQs
Why is Aldi able to sell groceries for cheaper than tops? ›
Why is Aldi so cheap? At most supermarkets, you'll find tons of name-brand items, but at Aldi, a whopping 90% of the products are private label. By avoiding brand names, Aldi can skip going through another company and offer you cheaper prices.
Does Aldi have quality produce? ›Is produce good at Aldi? Produce at Aldi is of acceptable quality, and they have a variety of basic produce items available including some organically-grown items. However, freshness is not always at its peak, and because everything is pre-packaged, you cannot buy just 1 of something.
Where does most of Aldi's food come from? ›Aldi sources its products from all over the world.
We do know that many foods are manufactured at the same factories as big-name brands, just labeled for Aldi. This means cereals and other items like crackers and chips are most likely made at the same plant as their brand name equivalent.
Owned by a German company called Albrecht Discounts, ALDI is a discount grocery chain that started in Germany in 1948. Decidedly no frills, the company stocks virtually all house-brand products, all offered at very low prices thanks to exclusive deals with their suppliers, many of which are big-name producers.
What are the weaknesses of Aldi? ›Weaknesses of Aldi
Aldi faces positioning problems. For instance, many customers see it as a store for cheap and low-quality products. Aldi's emphasis on low-cost private label items could turn off some customers who prefer branded items.
Despite how big of a deal this purchase may seem considering each store's success, former owner Joe Coulombe told Fortune that he couldn't even remember the price he sold his store for. Today, the elusive Albrecht family still owns both of the successful chains.
Is ALDI food unhealthy? ›Finally, ALDI is not a Whole Foods or the health food section of your grocery store. The majority of the items there are not organic or natural, or even all healthy, as is the case in a typical grocery store.
Why is ALDI fruit and veg so cheap? ›The secret to cost-cutting at Aldi is making everything as time efficient as possible. All the products arrive in shelf-ready packaging, which means it can be taken directly from the lorry to the shelf.
Who is ALDI's biggest competitor? ›...
Competitor Summary.
- Publix has the most employees (225,000).
- Employees at Trader Joe's earn more than most of the competitors, with an average yearly salary of $35,732.
- The oldest company is Hannaford Supermarkets, founded in 1883.
Aldi does not sell horse meat. The controversy surrounding Aldi and horsemeat came about when some of its beef products contained up to 100% horsemeat. This scandal only affected stores in Europe, but it has since been cleared.
Where does Aldi milk come from? ›
Aldi milk comes from the U.S dairy farms located across the country. All the name-brand milk also come from these farms. Aldi buys this milk wholesale, packages it under their private brand, and then distributes it to their stores. Aldi gets all their milk locally in the United States and not China.
Where does Aldi's fish come from? ›The fresh salmon at ALDI is not wild-caught. It is farm-raised in Chile, Russia, or Norway.
Why do Aldi scan so fast? ›Sam, who posts under @glutenfreesam, took to the video sharing app to explain the real reason is all down to packaging, reports The Mirror. She said: "Fun fact: Aldi product packaging is designed to have multiple barcodes so that cashiers can scan things faster, all about that speed baby."
Who makes Aldi cheese? ›Hidden away in the Cheshire countryside, Joseph Heler's dairy farm has been making quality cheeses since 1957. This award-winning artisan supplier has become a family affair - managed by son, Mike and grandson, George. And for the past 5 years it has produced all of Aldi's Emporium Red Leicester Cheese.
What does Aldi mean in German? ›In 1962, they introduced the name Aldi—short for Albrecht-Diskont, which translates into English as "Albrecht Discount". Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd have been financially and legally separate since 1966.
Is working at Aldi hard? ›Fast-paced stressful environment
Worked for them for 5 years. Difficulty and stress highly depend upon location and managers, but their efficiency model is setup for failure. One person calls out and the entire day is extremely difficult for everyone else working.
Aldi's current overall score is one per cent. Aldi were the only supermarket to score zero in the workers' theme, which assesses the extent to which supermarkets have put in place measures to ensure workers' rights are respected in their food supply chains.
Does Aldi reduce food? ›If there are any leftovers after lunch, both Aldi and Lidl will often reduce the prices further.
Who is Aldi owned by? ›For over 40 years, we have stuck to the same guiding principle: great quality should come with everyday low prices. In 1961, the Albrecht Family founded the world's first discount grocery store in Germany.
What grocery chain did Aldi buy? ›In 1979, Theo's Aldi Nord bought a small California grocery chain called Trader Joe's reportedly because liked the chain's commitment to low prices and the stores' loyal customer base, according to Fortune.
Why did Aldi split? ›
The great Aldi split
That same year, the brothers split the chain into two separate groups after falling out over whether they should sell tobacco products. Theo headed Albrecht-Diskont Nord, which sold them, while Karl became the CEO of Albrecht-Diskont Süd, which did not.
Our products are either USDA Certified Organic or are being independently vetted for Non-GMO ingredients and can be spotted by their organic seal.
Is Aldi food genetically modified? ›Most packaged and processed foods contain ingredients derived from corn, soy, canola and sugar beet — and the vast majority of those crops grown in North America are genetically modified.
Is Aldi's organic food Really Organic? ›Most of these products also have the USDA Organic seal, that means that the product has 95% or more certified organic content, farmers did not use antibiotics or growth hormones in their cattle, and no pesticides were used in the growth of their crops.
Why are Aldi stores so cold? ›Aldi says: 'The temperature of our stores is managed on a local basis by the store managers. 'This helps to provide the right environment to ensure the quality of our ambient and fresh produce, as well as creating a comfortable shopping experience for all our customers. ' 'It's freezing in here!
Does Aldi have healthier food? ›Healthy living is easier to accomplish when you have access to a great selection of affordable, healthy food. That's why ALDI has everything you need to stay on track, from heart healthy breakfast options to fresh, organic dinner items.
Why does Aldi not play music? ›The main reason is that Aldi doesn't want to pay to play music all day long. If the company had to shell out money to have music playing throughout the store, then that would mean they'd have to raise their prices to offset the cost.
Who is Aldi's target customer? ›ALDI's pricing strategy of maintaining the lowest possible prices and no-frills discounts encourages men and women in low and mid-level income groups and economical shoppers around the world to become regular customers.
Is Aldi better than Kroger? ›If Aldi is not the lowest price, they really aren't in the running at all for being the cheapest. Also, since Aldi does not carry everything, there were several items on the list that could not be compared at Aldi. Kroger is definitely the most expensive if you shop without sales!
Who are the big 4 supermarkets? ›The food retail market has traditionally been dominanted by the 'big four' supermarkets -Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons - who made up over three quarters of sector market share in 2010. Tesco is the largest retailer in Great Britain, with a market share of 27.5% at the end of 2022.
Does Taco Bell use horse meat? ›
Does Taco Bell have ISE horse meat? Taco Bell, the US-based fast food company, has withdrawn its taco beef products from sale in British and Spanish outlets after finding some beef contained more than 10% horse DNA.
What food has horse meat in it? ›Horse meat is used in a variety of recipes: as a stew called pastissada (typical of Verona), served as steaks, as carpaccio, or made into bresaola. Thin strips of horse meat called sfilacci are popular. Horse fat is used in recipes such as pezzetti di cavallo.
What is horse meat called? ›Horse meat, or chevaline, as its supporters have rebranded it, looks like beef, but darker, with coarser grain and yellow fat.
What is the brand of milk at Aldi? ›Farmdale is the main brand of ALDI milk products.
Who makes Aldi's cottage cheese? ›Cottage cheese by Aldi-Benner Company nutrition facts and analysis.
What is the brand name for Aldi dairy products? ›Store brands include organic milk that has been privately labeled by grocery chains. Typically, these businesses buy products wholesale and then market those finished or packaged products with their own labels.
How can Aldi afford to have lower prices than their competitors? ›Every item a supermarket stocks costs them money in managing supplier relationships, accounting and so on. The small selection means small stores, which means lower rent. Similarly, if you've ever queued to buy just one thing at Aldi, you'll know it doesn't bother with an 'eight items or less lane', saving on staff.
What does Aldi do to have lower costs than its competitors? ›Aldi's business model sells its products at the lowest cost possible to the consumer market. What is this? The company keeps its pricing model low by restricting its inventory selection and managing its employee costs. The company doesn't focus on competing with other supermarket chains.
What happens to unsold Aldi specials? ›According to one user, leftovers from the sales get sent to a particular store, where they remain until they eventually sell out. “Leftovers get shipped to other stores to centralise stock sometimes.
Why do Aldi prices vary from store to store? ›Why do prices vary from store to store? ALDI considers many factors when setting product prices, including production and operating costs, market conditions, local regulations, consumer demand and the competitive landscape.
Who is Aldi's biggest competitor? ›
...
Competitor Summary.
- Publix has the most employees (225,000).
- Employees at Trader Joe's earn more than most of the competitors, with an average yearly salary of $35,732.
- The oldest company is Hannaford Supermarkets, founded in 1883.
Most of the beef sold in the US, by Aldi or otherwise, is produced and packaged in the US. 90% of the imported beef comes from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, or Mexico. The same goes for pork. Aldi gets a number of its items from China, so it's not a stretch to wonder if they get their meat from China, too.
Who is Aldi target customer? ›ALDI's pricing strategy of maintaining the lowest possible prices and no-frills discounts encourages men and women in low and mid-level income groups and economical shoppers around the world to become regular customers.
Why do people choose ALDI? ›Shopping at Aldi is a no-frills experience, but that cuts down on costs, which is ultimately to the customers' benefit. You might not even see shelves in some aisles. Instead, items are displayed in the boxes they were shipped in. When an item runs out, a store worker simply brings out a new box.
How much money do you save going to ALDI? ›Only you can determine if saving 20-40% off your grocery bill is worth it to you. ALDI can save you money, but you will need to be flexible about products sometimes. You may have to go to another store to finish your shopping for some weeks or change your meal plan.
What makes ALDI different from other supermarkets? ›What makes ALDI different? At our core, we are different by design. We are private-label trailblazers, and our company is built on these basic principles: simplicity matters, we sell the best food at low prices, and everything we do is purposefully designed to save people money.
Can you return food you don't like to ALDI? ›Please bring the package, any unused portion of the product and your receipt of purchase to your local ALDI, and we will issue a refund and replacement. Our Twice as Nice Guarantee does not apply to non-food ALDI Find items, alcohol, or national brands.
What day of the week does ALDI do markdowns? ›Shop on Wednesday for the best deals.
To score the best deals on Aldi's products, visit the store mid-week. On Wednesdays, new products are released and produce goes on sale. But make sure you head there in the morning so you can grab all of your groceries before anyone else.
In 1961 the brothers changed the name to Aldi, which is short for Albrecht Discount, and the business continued to grow.
What's the difference between Aldi and Trader Joe's? ›Aldi is for customers looking for major savings and the absolute lowest grocery prices, and Trader Joe's is for customers willing to pay a premium for specialized products. Both chains use their private-label brands in pursuit of these distinct groups of shoppers.