Aldi
, short for Albrecht Discount, is an international discount supermarket chain based in Germany.
History
In 1946, brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht took over a small store in a suburb of Essen, Germany, their mother had opened in 1913. Soon after they opened another retail outlet nearby and by 1950 owned 13 stores in the Ruhr Valley.
A priority for the Albrecht brothers was cost cutting: by the end of World War II, they had nearly perfected the philosophy of the “limited assortment” grocery store. The brothers did not advertise their business, did not sell fresh produce and kept their outlets small.
The brothers split the company in 1960s over a dispute about whether to sell cigarettes. By then, they had operated 300 shops and earned some DM 90 million per year. Two years after the split, which broke the chain into two legally and financially separate entities, they introduced the name Aldi. From then on, the Albrecht brothers’ business operated as Aldi Nord (Aldi North), which was known as Aldi Market, and Aldi Sud (Aldi South).
The companies continued to expand, Aldi Nord growing into 35 independent regional branches with about 2,500 stores, and Aldi Sud growing into 31 companies with 1,600 stores. In the 1970s and 80s, after the German reunification and the fall of Iron Curtain, Aldi expanded internationally, eventually operating some 8,210 individual stores worldwide. Both Aldi Nord and Aldi Sud operate markets mainly in Europe, but Aldi Sud also operates in the United States and Australia, among other locations.
In 1976, Aldi opened its first American store in Southeastern Iowa, continuing to use the Albrect philosophy: “When you buy a can of peas at Aldi, you’re paying almost entirely for the can of peas.” Aldi claims it saves customers money by leaving out the “army of stackers,” “piped-in music,” fancy display” and “gimmicks and games.”
In order to offer less expensive items, Aldi manufactures its products without the various factors — packaging, transportation, stocking, staff turnover and others — that tack pennies on to the final price consumers pay. To further reduce cost to the consumer, Aldi encourages customers to bring their own shopping bags, but also offers grocery bags for sale. To further reduce costs, Aldi’s shopping carts are available to rent for a quarter (deposit returned with the cart), thereby eliminating the need to pay an employee to recover carts. The store telephone numbers are unlisted to avoid needing an employee to answer the phone. Aldi’s labor costs are about 4 percent of store sales.
Aldi stores sell their own brand label foods, beverages and inexpensive household items, including electronics and appliances. It limits the number of outside brands it sells, usually to one or two per product, in order to increase sales and keep Aldi stores smaller than supermarkets that offer more diversity for a similar range of products. Aldi does not accept manufacturers’ coupons, although some stores in the U.S. experiment with a store coupon successfully.
Like some no frills, warehouse-style stores, Aldi does not decorate its aisles or fill all of its shelves. It offers pallets of its products, boxed in cardboard, which it places alongside aisles for customers to pick from.
The company maintained its policy of not advertising in Germany, with the exception of a weekly newsletter of special prices, because, it claims, the cost-saving measure can be passed down to consumers. In the U.S., Aldi advertises regularly through newspaper inserts and television commercials. Aldi is known to do its advertising in-house, so as not to spend money on an external advertising agency.
Although it had a reputation for being cheap and selling low-quality products, Aldi’s success hasn’t wavered. It continues to expand in Australia, England and the United States.
Stats
Headquarters: Batavia, Illinois
Number of Stores: 1,400 in the U.S., 8,500 worldwide
Number of Employees: 11,000
Annual Revenue: $68,700 million (U.S.)
Geography: Germany, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States
(36 states from Kansas to the East Coast)
Demography: Bargain hunters and do-it-yourself shoppers
Subsidiaries: Combi, Hofer
Brands
Fit & Active
Grandessa Signature
Beaumont Coffees
Benner Tea Company
Summit Soft Drinks
Nature’s Nectar Juice
Lacura Skincare and Beauty Products
Tandil Laundry Detergent
Important Links
Corporate Home Page
Circular and Specials (U.S. only)
Jobs and Careers
Store Locations
Contact information
Online shopping – NA
Aldi is the only place I shop we have one in greenwood SC and one in Laurens SC
Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for
providing this information.
Aldi no bagging policy pressures customers to get out of the way after paying. Senior citizens notice this physically agressive behaviour
Why is there no mention of Albrecht-owned Trader Joe’s operation?
Don’t be fooled with low prices, doesn’t mean good quality. Still love Stated Bros, Sprouts, TJ, Ralphs
Aldi is in Ireland and the quality of the product is excellent. It has grown exponentially since it arrived in the country, taking on the big boys. I only wish they were here in Saskatchewan, would defiantly give the big retailers a run for their money.
It’s better quality in the US than major chains. Great prices, and I love to no frills. Prices are wonderfully incredible.
I am planning on visiting your store in Cumberland, Md do you offer motorize carts, I am in a wheel chair?
Does Aldis sell cigarettes?
It will be sad when Aldis goes out of business when Western Europe collapses soon and breaks out into civil war due to 10,000 refugees arriving daily.
Such a bad attitude Tom
Would like an aldi in Gilbert Arizona please
I purchased your SHEP dog treats and I’m trying to find on the packaging how many you are allowed to give your animal per day, and am unable to find it. Could you please respond thank you
We have an Alco store here in Red Bud that is closing and many people have voiced their opinion that an Aldi store would great to have in Red Bud. The only grocery store we have is an IGA and it is very expensive. I only buy their sale items. There are many Senior citizens here who are unable to drive out of town so they are more or less forced to shop at the IGA store. There is also a Dollar General store here.
I would be very pleased if you would look into this. Thank you Wanda Steele
I agree with Wanda! An aldi in Red Bud would be great! We gave to drive a minimum of 20 minutes to get groceries reasonably priced
Are you coming to Canada?
http://aldiuscareers.com/about-aldi/history
I don’t think this article is accurate. Aldi opened its first U.S. store in 1976 in Iowa City, IA, as it says on their own website. So, I’m not really sure you should trust anything on this site. Poorly researched.
Can you please provide a link for that fact on their website?
does aldi sell cigarettes?
Aldi has really stepped up their game in the past few years. The quality of food has really come around. I don’t do all my shopping at Aldi’s, but the shopping I do is well spent. Thanks Aldi’s for keeping food prices reasonable and more of my hard earned buck in my pocket.
I love ALDI for clearly labeling their products that are GLUTEN-FREE, but I must warn those with celiac disease to be very careful when purchasing any of these products. ALWAYS be sure to read the ingredient label to see if the product contains WHEAT, BARLEY OR BARLEY MALT, RYE OR REGULAR OATS, all forms of gluten that will make those with celiac disease very ill. It has come to my attention that the Choceur Candy has products that are labeled gluten-free and yet their ingredient label states that these products have barley malt or wheat in them. Newly diagnosed celiacs or those who are not yet familiar with the various names for gluten may purchase one of these products. It is very disappointing that ALDI has not made a decision to remove these products from their shelves to protect their customers from harm, even though numerous people have expressed concern. Customer safety should take priority over profit.
How come there are so many questions but no answers? I have recently started shopping at Aldi’s on Buford Hwy.and quite pleased with shopping there. I try to read ingredients and have only been disappointed in only three products so far. Really like the produce and chocolate but I must admit that I am concerned by one of the customers referring to the seafood products from China. I do not eat them but my daughter does. I must also admit to curiosity about Batavia. IL. There are many can goods in the main stream grocery stores that come from China. For some reason, mushrooms are one of them. All things considered, I am pleased with Aldi’s.
c
I like shopping at Aldi’s and hate wallyworld, but I also am concerned about food products from china, the way I understand it most of the food they make would make a cockroach puke. supposedly you can find out thru the upc code #, this is what will do. and to any of you out there who think Europe, or any country is better than USA in food production, water purification, or any thing than you are either young and naïve, or have never seen any other part of the world. don’t get me wrong some are better than others
and some are downright 3rd world countries. If you hate America so bad leave. it is only just beginning turn bad hopefully we can save Her.
Aldi’s is the best ever with a very perfect low price of delicious food plus sales of home things go use each week so low prices n wonderful.
I read all labels – for Country of Origin – I don’t buy anything from China. After seeing a documentary about how they feed their tilapia fish using chicken droppings and the disgusting filthy ways they keep chickens, etc. I quit buying especially fish from China. I really like fish and its hard to find fish from any other source. I understand Bird’s Eye Foods has moved to China so they are out too. I trust items from Europe, Canada, Australia, South America – anywhere but China. I hope Batavia, Illinois means the product originates in the USA.
I purchased a container of Friendly Farms Greek Yogurt and opened to eat and there is a small green mold strip on the top. The sell/best by date is still days away. I tried to contact them but no phone number given, only email contact for customer service. It is a Saturday so it will be at least 2 days before it is read. Hope no one gets sick.
When can we expect to have an Aldi open in Mobile, Al.
I LOVE ALDI..miss it now im in florida from Ohio….to all the ALDI executives…There is a place called Meadowcrest…Crystal River Florida…the Winn Dixie because of a corporate merger just took over another store and moved out (sweet bay)…this empty building is not only a perfect opportunity but size wise perfect for an ALDI….Please look into it….
Hello Dumbass’s,
The fellow that asked if products at Aldi were from China or elsewhere has a good point. I lived and worked in Germany for years. I speak, read and write German fluently and am married to a German citizen. You dumbass American kids today never concern yourselves with where a product comes from and therefore have an ever increasing unemployment rate and very shitty wages and no benefits. Jobs today are increasingly customer service jobs, which we suck at as well.
I’ll tell you kiddies a little story about the krauts. Back in the 90’s Walmart wanted to expand into Europe and asked the Krauts if they would be receptive to American Walmarts and their cheap prices.
The Krauts welcomed Walmart with open arms and hugs and kisses. SO, Walmart invested Billions of DM to build huge Walmarts in Germany thereby giving Germans TONS of jobs.
THEN Walmart opened it’s six stores, and within two years had to close and sell their facilities (at have the initial construction costs) to Edeka, Aldi, etc.
The common German said to me, “there was nothing but Chinese crap in Walmarts and it was expensive”. LIARS! They want to dominate the globe with THEIR stores just like they do in todays European union!
They suckered the Americans to build Walmarts there, knowing all the while that the German citizens would boycott Walmarts and force them out of business.
Ask a Greek, Italian, Croatian, Serbian, Polish, etc., etc., what stores are in their countries—GERMAN stores and products.
That’s why the rest of Europe dislikes Germans.
DumbJackass,
Not all of us Americans shop or even like wal mart!! In fact I hate wal mart and will not shop there!! We all know this Mr Dumb Jackass. Why do you think we are all asking for Aldi shops to be open in our different areas, DUMB JACKASS!!!
Dakota Western Beans are the best tasting beans. You can use them in so many different ways. The store in Belmont, NC no loner sells them. I really love them. Is there any way to buy them from your company. Thank you so much. Allen Millican
Seem like at one time They were called Dakota Texas Western Beans
Aldi’s used to sale a lemon crème pie in the freezer section. It was the best thing ever, because I don’t care for lemon meruinge. Will you ever bring it back?
I love Aldi Grocery stores. They are the only cheap grocery store that has quality products. The produce is great, never no rotten stuff, the dairy is really good, a whole lot better than Wal-mart. I like their spaghetti sauce, canned goods, coffee, tea, bread, spices, nuts, goat cheese, dark chocolate,ice cream,etc. I haven’t bought a lot of meat there, but what I did buy, was really good. Got some excellent barbecued ribs there. The stores are clean, the people working there are always really nice and helpful. I am in and out a lot faster than any other store, like Wal-mart who spreads the necessities from one end to the other, to keep you in the store longer. In most cases, I only buy what I need at Aldi’s. But the best part is I SAVE $500-$1000 a YEAR ON GROCERIES!! 10 Stars
I haven’t shopped at Aldi in maybe 15 years. The quality of the food was so bad I quit going. However, with the cost of food on the rise in regular grocery stores, I thought maybe it was time to check it out. A lot of people I know shop there and were surprised that I didn’t since we have a large family of 7. I too, was curious as to where the food was made, so I decided to research it a bit…….I find it funny that people are asking about GMOs and stuff. What do you think you are buying when the prices are so cheap? Did you really think you would find high quality organic items here? The bottom line is this place is geared toward the cost conscious people. If you are worried about what is in your food then I wouldn’t shop here. As for me, I may check it out, give it another shot, but I have a feeling I will just continue to shop at costco