German Discounter Aldi Aims to Profit From Belt-Tightening in US

[FarCenter]

As the US economy continues sliding south, German discount retailer Aldi is ratcheting up expansion plans there, aiming to make the best of it. It plans to open 75 new US stores this year.

Up to now, German deep-discount retail chain Aldi has had limited success in the United States. Its formula of selling a limited selection of no-name products at fire sale prices has made it a roaring success in Europe, but across the ocean it has only managed to attract low-end shoppers.

Now, however, the company is hoping to use the US economic crisis to its advantage, and aims to compete with heavy-hitting US discounter Wal Mart. It has plans to open 75 new stores this year alone, including its first New York branch.

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http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,3946936,00.html

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The local Aldi has good food, cheap.

[notadmblnd]

1. There's one in my area. I did not like it

Went there once. I didn't think it was going to make it. Now I'm not sure. I know I wont be going back.

[spinbaby]

3. It takes a bit of patience to shop at Aldi

My in-laws like it a lot but they have more time and patience than I have.

[FarCenter]

4. They are very "utilitarian"

They are a lot smaller and don't spend much on displays or arranging stuff.

It is largely house brands or other discounted brands.

Bring your own bags -- they charge for bags.

The cashier lines are busy, and people bag their own groceries.

No affinity cards or coupons. They don't send out circulars, but you can pick up next weeks circular in the store.

But the prices are right.

[notadmblnd]

6. Lately I just buy sale items.

I don't buy any beef in a store. So usually I just go for bread and milk and pick up sale items. It's Meijers or Krogers and their 10 for 10 sales is what I hit. If you looked at my cupboards, you'd think I was stocking for the second coming of Christ.

[KharmaTrain]

2. Shades Of 1979

Aldi's been around this area for a long time. We used to joke that their slogan should be "Aldi...We Have No Pride", but when they first came out in the late 70's, a lot of us didn't mind bagging our own groceries and eating stuff that all looked like it came out of the same can (generic labeling), cause it meant a couple extra bucks left in our pockets. It was Aldi's success that forced the bigger chains to also start stocking generics...and few people say boo about picking up those products over the higher priced one.

[nxylas]

5. We have an Aldi across the street from us

It seems to always be busy, despite there being a humungous great Wally World Supercenter a few blocks away. I tend to think of it as a big convenience store, useful for getting staples but not if you want anything a little more adventurous (each store is limited to carrying 1000 product lines at any given time). But the prices are hard to beat. Edit: plus, every dollar spent there is a dollar not spent in fucking Wal-Mart.

[LostinVA]

7. We shop mainly at Trader Joe's (owned by Aldi), Aldi, Costco, and Shop-Rite

It's amazing how much better you can eat at a much lower lower cost than just shopping "regular" retail. I wish there was a BIg Lots nearby, because I LOVED that place when I lived in VA! It's hit or miss, but when it's "hit," you can get fantastic deals.

[notadmblnd]

10. I do like Trader Joes

I guess it's the environment

[Wiley50]

8. Similar basket of food costs TWICE as much at Walmart as it does at Aldi

I buy almost everything at Aldi. Love the quality too.

I only go to Kroger to get Folger's coffee on sale for $5.99/ big can

everything else at Kroger is out of my price range

[lawwolf]

9. I love Aldi

We do our primary shopping there, then only go to Kroger to get the few things we are brand specific on or that Aldi doesn't sell/are out of stock of. We only do shopping once a month except for bread and milk and manage to spend only around $200 a month.