I'm bullish on ALDI Supermarket (and more)

Everyday I read DU LBN Stock-market Watch thread everyday. Most of the time it is greek to me, but at times I gleam a sense of economics.
I also always read GD threads about how to save money and conserve resources. These I understand.

I've always done my grocery shopping at the two local unionized supermarkets, Shoprite and Stop&Shop. Now I'm bullish on ALDI. I've been very impressed in their local operation. Anyone else familiar?


http://aldi.us/index_ENU_HTML.htm

but they're not into NM yet. On the bright side, we did get the natural foods equivalent, a Sunflower Market.

Aldi isn't for everyone since their stock is limited. However, for people who don't insist on specific brands for foods, they're great.

we also do some shopping at two other grocery stores to fill in the gap. ALDI is a great way to stretch the old food budget. And since I've been so interested in the store I've been going there more frequently. The more I go the more I find the stuff we need. But it is hit and miss.

Couldn't compete with Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, unfortunately. Had some good deals on wine and stuff like that.

which is often. They're closer to the university than Whole Paycheck, and TJ's is 15 miles away. Their only real competition as far as price and location go is the food co-op, but there's enough stock that isn't duplicated that most people will end up going both places (like me).

I think they're going to make a go of it here. The one that will probably suffer is Whole Paycheck.

But even the Sunflower market right next to the university closed. I think they just pulled completely out of the Ohio market. It's too bad, it seemed like a really cool place to shop and work (I was leaning slightly on my wife to get a part-time job there at one point).

folks will find ways to economize and Aldi is part of that mix, along with increasing use of coupons, private label and shopping of just store specials. Aldi has it's pluses, but selection is limited, but that is their business model. I too shop there for some things (great deal on cut flowers). It's just like every other store, some good and some less so and you have to watch prices there as well, as often you can do just as well in your neighborhood supermarket.

although to get there from where I live in need to go past dozens of ghetto overpriced bodegas / delis / grocery stores.

It is actually the closest store for me as well. Not that any of the local Supers are much further away, here in my aging suburb. When I do pass by, it is always busy so I suspect they are doing well. I do actually like some of their products, but have also found some that I won't buy again. Just like any other store.

don't live near one here.

They ran walmart out of business in Germany...

some of the stuff is good and some icky. ..all in all it`s a good store ...oh the chocolat is from europe and it`s yummy

:)

The only drawback, and it is because I'm an old fuddy duddy, is their requirement for cash or debit card. I'm a check writer and do not possess debit card. Don't usually carry lots of cash. So we make a special trip to the bank for a cash withdrawal before we go to Aldi. A small drawback, but its there.

That aside, Aldi is a terrific alternative to the regular grocery store!

I am now off of checks. My bank actually offers free "online" checking. We go to their site, write out an "e-check" and they mail it off to who ever we are paying. They pay the postage and everything.

Aldi is great, and we do nearly half our shopping there. Before the Lidl (the Little brother of the Aldi founder - no joke!) came to town. Now we split it about 40/40 with the last 20% for 'name' brands at a local supermarket.

I find the stuff Aldi sells (non-food) to be a hair higher quality than the lidl, and in general decent quality all around.

I don't know how much non-food stuffs you can buy at the Aldi's in the US, but here about 15% of the store sales are non-foods, rotating stuffs. It's planting season here so Aldi was selling fruit and veggies plants, along with flowers and gardening supplies. They also occasionally sell bikes, and always have a small supplies of computer and TomTom stuff.

I bet YOUR Aldi's provide bags LOL, here it's anything you can find, as store-provided bags are more or less non existent. The tradition is to either use boxes (like Costco used to do) or reusable bags made from cloth or plastic weave (strong and long lasting).

I think between Aldi and the local market in the city, we can keep our costs low, and local. Using re-usable bags also cuts down on our wasted plastic/paper bags. ^^

:kick:

didn't know this

Haven't been in one now for a few yrs.

I just checked and unforntunately it appears its a private company, at least unfortunate for anyone wanting to invest. I really like Aldi personally, good prices etc.

I'd buy Trader Joe's stock if I could!

They have good prices there too.

I live in the sticks so no Aldi for me.

Is it independent or is it a chain?

as far as what brands they carry and the freshness of their fruits and meat. When everyone figures out that you can buy eggs and milk for 1/3 the regular price and 1/5 the wholefoods-style price, that place is gonna make some big bank.

We don't have Sav-a-lots in the Hudson Valley.

Save-A-Lot - Peekskill
1099 N DIVISION ST
Peekskill, NY 10566
Phone:
(914) 739-0147

Of course, I don't know where you live exactly so that might be far from you. Still worth the trip.

thanks for the info:toast:

The quality of most of the food rivals or exceeds the major grocers in the area. And the prices are very reasonable.

I've had a lot of luck with canned goods, frozen meat and fish and even snack food (i.e. Wheat Thins and the equivalent - much cheaper here). Be sure to bring your own bag and a quarter for checking out a cart.

I almost always get a 'free' cart cause someone didn't want to return it for the .25 cents.
I almost always get a free quarter for shopping at ALDI.