This article was originally published on NextRefinance
With over 2,000 locations in the United States, Aldi is a bargain hunter's dream come true. But even the most loyal of customers have probably never stopped to consider just how it is that a grocer with such low prices can be as successful as they are. Now, customers need not wonder, as the once little-known details behind the franchise have finally come to light. And more than being an interesting look into Aldi's success, the information is actually changing the way customers shop... for better and for worse.
1. Best time to shop
According to those in the know, Wednesday morning is the best time to shop at Aldi. Affordable seasonal products and produce are freshly stocked on Wednesdays, so you'll want to get there right when doors open for the best stuff.
Then it goes without saying the time to avoid shopping would be Tuesday nights, especially if you're looking to buy fruits and vegetables.
2. Name brand products
Regular shoppers will already be aware that about 90% of the products in the store are part of AldiI's exclusive brand. However, from time to time, Aldi sells more well-known name-brand products, such as Coca-Cola.
It's simply not worth buying them from here, as the prices don't compare to those of local supermarkets. It may be one of the only instances where certain products cost more at Aldi.
3. Aldi vs Aldi
Oddly, Aldi is sort of a rival of itself. The grocery store, which started as a small corner market in Germany, was inherited by two brothers, Karl and Theo Albrecht.
The two brothers quickly expanded the store to a chain when they smartly decided to sell staples cheaply in the harsh economic climate after the war. However, the brothers soon split over whether to sell cigarettes, and there became two Aldis—a north and a south—each run by one brother. There remain two Aldis to this day, with the north one owning Trader Joe's. Far from being rivals, Aldi and Trader Joe's are run as separate businesses and even have overlapping products.
4. Skip the chips
Potato chips are a lot of people's favorite thing to snack on, and for good reason. Salty, crunchy, and satisfying —what's not to like?
Well, when it comes to Aldi's Clancy's brand chips, apparently a lot. People say they're just not that good. The negative reviews range from opening a new bag and only finding a pile of crumbs to finding several chips of a completely different flavor in their bag. That's not to mention that the consensus is they don't taste that good to begin with.
5. Seltzer deal
La Croix lovers, you'll want to sit down for this one. The weird, hipstery obsession over this seltzer is like no other, and Aldi gets that.
This might be why it sells a variety 24-packs for $7.99 as part of its Aldi Finds program. Relish the affordable, faintly-fruity taste of canned air. What's more, if you don't want to lug that heavy box of bubbles home yourself, Aldi even has their own delivery service. Now that's a sweet deal!
6. Toilet paper
While the quality of toilet paper isn't necessarily subpar at Aldi's, the bang for your buck just isn't there. You'd be better off visiting a different chain to get your money's worth.
But if making a separate stop for toilet paper doesn't fit into your schedule, take reviewers' advice and avoid Willow 1000 Essential. Apparently, this TP is single-ply, flimsy, and simply not worth it.
7. Have Aldi come to you
Thanks to a partnership with Instacart and Doordash, you can now shop at Aldi without peeling your sorry butt off the couch. Order your beloved products online, and a personal shopper will do all the hard work of running around the store and checking out—they'll even send you messages if items are out of stock and give you options for alternatives.
You can have that extensive grocery list delivered straight to your door for a few extra bucks and be one step closer to living a life of luxury.
8. Dishwashing detergent
Countless customers complained about the product, with one writing that the gel "leaves cloudy marks all over my glasses and plates and spots on my silverware." You certainly don't want your dishes to need a post-wash wash.
As an alternative, many shoppers say Aldi's dishwashing tablets are much better and still sold at a reasonable price.
9. Generous return policy
Aldi has a killer return policy. Its “Twice as Nice Guarantee” allows you to have your purchased item replaced (even a TV) and your hard-earned coin back!
Though Aldi boasts of having the best quality products around, they ultimately let you be the judge of that. The company might be losing some money with this move, but the positive customer service outweighs the slight profit loss.
10. Sandwich bags
For several reasons, the re-sealable bags sold at Aldi are reportedly of poor quality. First, they apparently break easily — not a great quality in a bag.
And to make matters worse, many people have complained about an odd smell they have to them. How can a plastic bag have a bizarre smell?! We're unsure, but we certainly don't want our food smelling that way.
11. Baby supplies
It's fair to say that raising kids costs an arm and a leg... and a kidney and an ear.
Luckily for newbie parents, Aldi brags that purchasing diapers, wipes, and formula from its baby line, Little Journey, will save you about $1,200 a year. What's more, Aldi's Little Journey baby line has received the Good Housekeeping seal of approval, which indicates the products are of high quality.
12. Toiletries
When it comes to products such as razors, shampoo, and lotion, the quality isn't the problem, per se. It's the price of these items that makes people's jaws drop.
Most of the toiletries sold at Aldi are name brand, which means the low-cost chain cannot buy or sell the products at discounted rates. What's more, these items are never included in special sales. Customers reckon you can find these items for much lower costs at different stores!
13. Bring your own bags
Make sure you bring your own grocery bags with you. While this seems bothersome, not providing free bags is just a part of how Aldi keeps its prices so affordable!
With aims to conserve plastic and paper to be more eco-friendly, many grocery stores have followed suit here. The good news is that you can find reusable totes in Aldi stores.
14. Cheap coffee
Aldi offers a wide selection of coffee brands, including their brand Barissimo with 100% Arabica coffee beans, launched in 2015. Shoppers say some brands are better than others.
But this may be an instance where going cheap isn't worth it. Daily Basics is their most affordable offering at only 17 cents per pound, but people have said that it leaves much to be desired when it comes to taste. And there's nothing worse than dull, bitter coffee!
15. Rent-a-cart
If you haven't been to Aldi before, you might have heard rumors that you have to rent a cart to shop. This is to keep shopping carts from going missing.
But "renting" carts might be a bit of a misnomer, as Aldi isn't trying to turn a profit here. Shoppers will have to insert a quarter to use a cart, but once you're done shopping, your quarter will be returned. The good news is that cashiers are more than happy to lend you a quarter!
16. Yogurt
Aldi's brand of yogurt isn't very tasty, according to the opinions of many reviewers. Some have called it too sweet; one commentator even remarked that her kids wouldn't go near the stuff.
If you're looking for a healthier option, Aldi offers a whole milk Greek yogurt that shoppers say is fantastic. It's been compared to Fage but at half the price.
17. Baked bargains
Aldi knows just how to target pro-school-lunch-maker parents. Precisely five days before the expiration date of loaves of bread and other various baked goods, Aldi reprices them at 50 percent off.
That's a significant savings, especially for a larger family that goes through several loaves of bread weekly. Also, who doesn't love a good carby deal?
18. Frozen sushi
Frozen sushi is a divisive product to begin with, and Aldi's version has yet to settle the debate. The chances of overdoing the fish in a microwave are simply too high — and the residual smell could be bad, too.
Do you really want to risk that for microwavable sushi?!
19. Hot deals
We know it's easy to immediately beeline for their coveted, ride-or-die products, but check out Aldi's Hot Deals section before you make any impulsive (and pricey) decisions.
The Hot Deals section boasts massively discounted products, with Sundays and Mondays being the best days to save big.
20. Cereal
Aldi's brands of cereal are own-brand versions of well-known lines such as Honey Nut Cheerios and Lucky Charms. The packaging is so similar you might not even notice the difference...
until you take a bite. Some customers have said Cheerios are classics for a reason!
21. Savings app
Aldi allows customers to use Checkout51 to help them save even more money. It's a cashback app that aids in keeping the "Save Some, Spend Some" method at equilibrium.
Clipping coupons is officially a thing of the past! Just think of the time you'll save.
22. Soda
Aldi's brands of soda have left some people disappointed. They have limited options, and their "Cola" may look like Coke, but customers have said the quality is lacking.
Plus, Dr. Dazzle doesn't have the same ring as Dr. Pepper! This one isn't really Aldi's fault. There is a major shortage of bottle suppliers in the U.S., and several stores are struggling to get their own brand sodas on shelves. Even giants like Pepsi and Coke struggle to source enough aluminum cans.
23. Aldi wine
Aldi is known to make pretty good wine! At just $10, the Exquisite Collection Cotes de Provence Rosé won a Great Value Award at the International Wine Challenge.
In fact, many wine connoisseurs have started reviewing Aldi wines, and the results are pretty good. A simple Google search will reveal several blogs and publications offering their top Aldi wine picks.
24. Bulk buys
One of the things that make Aldi so popular is that it provides consumers with low prices when not buying a large number of products.
However, if you do need to buy in bulk, price-wise it could make more sense to stop by your local Costco.
25. Free boxes
If you forget to bring your own grocery bag and you don't want to spend a buck on another, there are always lonely cardboard shipment boxes lying around for you to stash your foodstuffs in. Nobody will judge you, and who cares if they do!
Aldi happily gives out boxes to those who want them.
26. Meat
While the meat may be pretty cheap at Aldi, beef and chicken are products you probably want to invest a little more money in for quality.
According to some customers, the selection at Aldi can be lacking, and the sources for these products are usually massive, overcrowded farms that use a lot of growth hormones and low-quality feed.
27. Fun products
Aldi has some bizarre, miscellaneous products that'll pique your interest and curiosity. How can you not buy Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix?!
You're getting the best items from Red Lobster's menu from the comfort of your home. Now, if only they could find a way to box up the delicious buttered bread!
28. Produce
Buying fruits and vegetables at Aldi can be hit or miss, but some people feel it's too often the latter. Cheaper produce can reportedly be closer to expiring, mushy, or even hiding some rot.
You don't want rotten veggies on your dinner table! If you're shopping on a day when the produce selection looks bad, try coming back on a Wednesday morning when they restock.
29. Affordable avocado
The avocado cult is about to go nuts! The price of Hass avocados has nearly doubled in recent years, with the national average price of a single avocado now at $2.10.
Well, avocadabra! Aldi sometimes sells extra-large Hass 'cados for just 99 cents each.
30. Cat litter
Cats depend on us for their care, so it's important to be extra attentive when buying products they need to live comfortable lives.
Aldi's cat litter has been described as "dusty," and while it may seem like a bargain, your kitten deserves the best!
31. Grainy
A fan of ancient grains? Aldi has got you covered.
Prices on all different kinds of grains are astonishingly low. Simply Nature quinoa is just $3.99 per pound, and Earthly Grains Long White Rice is $1.99 for 3 pounds. You get those inexpensive B vitamins.
32. Butter
Given that butter is such a common ingredient and is required in virtually every recipe, it makes sense not to skimp out on quality.
You may save a dollar or two buying Aldi brand butter, but your dishes could also suffer the consequences.
33. Bag your own
Aldi doesn't hire employees to bag groceries, which is yet another way it keeps prices nice and low. So yes, you'll be bagging your own purchases, but overall the checkout process is speedy considering Aldi slaps several barcodes on its products.
You'll be in and out in no time.
34. Clothes
While Aldi's clothing is inexpensive, people say it's cheap for a reason. Consumer reviews all state that not only is the apparel poor in quality, but it's also hard to assess what you're getting because the packaging makes it impossible to try on before purchasing.
If you're looking for trendy new duds, try the mall instead!
35. Health nuts
Aldi is a health nut's dream. If you're trying to live a heartier lifestyle, Aldi's team of nutrition experts, called the Advisory Council, is specifically designed to give customers healthy eating suggestions.
Also, its house brand is free of harmful oils, synthetic colors, and MSG.
36. "Specialty" products
Aldi's has several specialty products, often labeled "Aldi Finds." These items are often actually good in price and quality.
The catch? They can disappear from shelves in a matter of hours, so if you see something good, don't wait to grab it at the end of your shopping trip. It's also fun to check out the new selections of products they put out each week. You may discover your new favorite snack.
37. Gluten-free
If you have a gluten allergy and are desperate for economical food that doesn't taste like cardboard, Aldi's gluten-free line of goodies, liveGfree, was bestowed with the 2018 Gluten-Free Buyers Guide Award. Finally, tasty food that won't hurt your tummy!
The guide suggests trying the Cocoa Loco Baked Chewy Bars!
38. Lawn equipment
Aldi seems to have it all, even down to lawn equipment such as planters and rakes. The durability of these items, though, isn't always dependable.
These are items you're going to ideally own for years, so it's better to invest in quality.
39. Perimeter shopping
Aldi shoppers mastered saving money with secrets that stores don't want you to know. For instance, if you're only looking to grab the essentials — bread, milk, eggs — shop around the perimeter of the store.
Avoiding the center aisles will let you resist the temptations of junk food.
40. Small appliances
The low prices of small appliances such as coffee makers and slow cookers make them appealing. But the reviews reveal that they sometimes break down easily and don't work as well as their more expensive counterparts.
Suppose you don't mind taking a risk on the appliance's longevity. In that case, many shoppers say Aldi's selection is quite chic, and they even recently launched a retro kitchen appliance line.