Ash UK/US

I just replied to a post about Lidl Stores as I sit here eating lunch comprising of chicken salad sandwich on wheat bread both of which were purchased at Aldi.

I started shopping there early this year after seeing the deals my sister was getting on her groceries in England and seeing just how crazy my costs were shopping primarily at Meijer. I have really been over spending.

When I was a kid and mum shopped there I was never keen, I viewed them as inferior products (oh to have someone else paying the bills again) now that I have 'rediscovered' them again I actually find many of their off/own brands to be better than the national brands. Their wheat bread being one of them... less than half price and it tastes much better (not as sweet as the other that I was buying).

I bought English cheese there yesterday 'Rustic Red Cheddar' tastes exactly like Red Leicester.

joto

I do, but not every week. Their hummus is good as well as their bacon (applewood smoked) as well as a lot of other stuff. When I go in there around the middle of the day, there doesn't seem to be many customers. Maybe it's not their busy time, or people are not willing to try anything other than their regular supermarket. I wish there was a Lidl opening up nearby, but it will take a long time for them to come to the west coast.

tom169

We try and incorporate Aldi as much as possible. Good quality stuff for the most part at great prices.

Pulaski

Went into Aldi once, didn't find a compelling reason to return, not least because their range is limited (it reminded me of Kwik-Save, with stock stacked on pallets) and it would mean an additional store to visit on top of our usual grocery store. In any case we don't buy a lot of tinned and packet goods, and we can get bread that doesn't taste sweet wherever we shop (I have never understood why y'all seem to think it is hard to find? ) so I don't see much opportunity for us to save by shopping there.

I wouldn't rule out shopping there in future, but it would take time to get used to working out what to buy there.

Ecto17

We are moving over in a couple of weeks and had already googled our nearest Aldi!! We use them regularly in the UK and find some of items fantastic, also like the size of the stores as you save time and money! Hoping they are good in the US as our local store Kings was lovely but very expensive.

username.exe

Reasons why I drive an additional 10 miles to shop at Aldi every week:

- we save $40-$50 per trip
- good quality produce
- practically empty early in the morning
- huge aisles with plenty of room to push a cart around
- cart seats 2 kids
- avocados for as low as 25c each

We augment our regular Aldi trips with a trip to Trader Joes every three weeks or so for some nicer cheeses and coffee.

jellybean_17

The Aldi nearest to me is pretty small which is a shame! We are finding most things here (North Florida) much more expensive than the UK (maybe not so much if comparing it to southern UK).

dc koop

I buy in bulk from Costco, saves money and I get rewards on the credit card. I buy my gas at Costco which is about 20 cents cheaper per gal than at a gas station and I get 4 percent back on gas purchases also. Buying in bulk avoids having to keep running to the supermarket every week which for me is a blessing since I try to avoid shopping as much as possible.

For healthy eating it's my local Sprouts store and there are items at Trader Joe's which I like and cant be found in other stores.

I've been in Aldis. I cant see much difference from larger stores such as Vons or Albertsons except that the latter two are a bit larger and carry a bigger selection.

The grocery section at Walmart Super Store is also bigger in size than Aldis and generally cheaper in price

Hiro11

I like their style: pallets on racks, concrete box decor, no bags, minimal staff but in exchange great prices on quality stuff. I know that they own a majority stake in Trader Joes and I've noticed some remarkably similar products being sold at both stores, with the Aldi version being significantly cheaper.

Southy_SWFC

We pretty much only shop at Aldi now. It helps that it's only a 10minute walk away.

We have a pretty set shopping list each week of fruit/veg and stuff for the baby, all of which is much more reasonable there and just as good as anywhere else.

Their baby stuff in particular is great value. The food pouches and diapers, especially.

MidAtlantic

We use them most weeks, mainly for produce and milk which are significantly cheaper than elsewhere.

Southy_SWFC

Oh yes, milk. Aldi milk is the only one we trust for our little one, plus its cheaper there than anywhere else.

Smartyy

Nearest one is California to me so I am unable.

I would shop there though. Loved Aldi back in the UK.

SultanOfSwing

We've got one down the road. Don't go there too often because the queues are a pain in the hole but I do like their crisps.

Pulaski

Maybe that the problem with the one nearest to me.
Agreed. I suspect that Aldi is another store that appeals to people too proud to shop at Walmart.

There have been a number of discussions over the years on "whether Costco is much cheaper than other stores?" The answer appears to be "yes, if you exclude Walmart from your pool of "other stores" ".