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
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I have been shopping at the ALDI store in Laurens, SC and the one product that I can no longer find is the “Breakfast Best” hot/spicy sausage patties. Your store carries the original patties but I have had no luck at finding the others even at the Greenville, scstore.
When you have a product that sells, you should keep it in stock.
I started going to Aldi’s nearly 10 years ago, the one in Clay N.Y. I was pleasantly surprised that one landed here in Massachusetts only 20 minutes away.
I am disappointed though that we bought a brand of peanut butter with honey mixed in.It was only in the store that one time. I have asked for it every time since and have been told that it may not come. Are there any plans for you to start carrying it again?
Thanks for moving to Mass.
still looking for the glazed pecans?? suppose to be in stores nov 12th! not here in minnesota-where can i order them from?? thank you!! packaged by southern grove!-sincerely nancy
I love aldi’s I have been shopping there for about 25 years. Yes people used to think it was a cheap low-grade store, but they sure have come along way. I would rather have some of their products over name brands. Keep up the good work I will keep supporting you. Thanks for keeping the prices low.
I’m wondering why did you change the formula on your diet cola. It was wonderful, however the new taste is way too sweet. A once very satisfied customer to an unsatisfied customer. I’m not the only one that’s noticed or dislikes the change. God Bless. BB.
Please please do something about your store in Clinton Twp., Mi (Hayes Road)and its cleanliness.
It is absolutely disgusting to come to your store and see the filth on the ground where the baskets are stationed. As long as the store has been there, I do not think that the stall was ever hosed down and cleaned. I realize you go for cost effectiveness, but this ??? I will not come back til something is done and the place looks cleaner. Pardon the expression, but it is close to becoming a pig sty. Shouldn’t the carts be cleaned once in awhile?? The inside of the store has looked better too, specially when you open up the refrigerators. All in all I think you need to do some effective house cleaning here.Hope this can be resolved.
Thank you
C.Pausch
I have been searching for the telephone number to one of your stores in our area, & I can’t find one. My husband went shopping there today, & when he got home he looked at the sales receipt to check the price of a package of asparagus, & found out he was charged twice for one package. He didn’t want to make a trip back there because of the distance & the price of gas, but he wanted to call to let them know so that he could get reimbersed the next time he went in. I understand that you don’t want people calling all the time when your salespeople don’t have time to answer phones, but I think it would be better business if there was a way to contact the local Aldi’s if there is a problem. I’ll be waiting to hear from you. Thank you.
we have been purchasing at least three bars per week of your Choceur dark hazelnut 7.05oz. chocolate bar. we can’t find them anymore have you stopped selling them. they are my husbands favorite.
I shop at 2 aldi stores in my area of georgia,i have noticed that the canned fruit and fruit in glass jars is now from china,I refuse to buy this,I checked my can goods and they say distributed by aldi as well as the cat foods,please tell me are not from china?If so,I will not be able to buy these any longer and I am a loyal customer of yours.I do not mind spending a few more cents for quality foods from the us or european but I will not buy from china.Thanks for answering my questions,a loyal customer,Vicki
Vicki I feel the exact same way. Searching for an answer regarding the country of originof their products is what brought me to this site. There is no indication on most products. Many items indicate China. I can no longer shop at Aldi’s either for this very reason.
I would really wish to know the country of orign of the coffee BEANS used in beaumont coffee !
p.s we shop aldi’s 2-3 times a week.