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naomikritzerAldi opened in our area a year or two ago, with a fair amount of fanfare. I looked at the Aldi inserts from the Sunday paper, and was not tempted. The prices looked pretty good, but no better than the sale prices in the Rainbow flier. Still, everyone said it was cheaper, so three weeks ago, I decided to check it out.
And it is cheaper. Way, way cheaper. Cheaper in ways that don't even begin to make sense to me. For example, a sack of apples that costs $3 at the Rainbow is $1.20 - $1.50 at Aldi. I bought a pint of Del Monte grape tomatoes today for $1.30; those are at least $2.50 at the Rainbow, often more. One pound of store-brand butter at the Rainbow is priced at over $3, though it regularly goes on sale for $2; butter at Aldi is always $2. They had grapes at Aldi for $2.89 for two pounds; a three-pound sack of onions for 79 cents; a four-pack of bell peppers (two green, one yellow, one red) for $1.79. (I think I understand the peppers -- they're all much smaller at Aldi. My guess is that peppers get sorted by size, with the large ones going to regular grocery stores, and the small ones going to discounters. All the other produce is indistinguishable from what I'd buy at the Rainbow.)
At the Rainbow, sausage is usually about $4 or $5 for a pound of it; it goes on sale for $2.50. At Aldi, they sell a three pound pack of Polish sausages for $3.30.
The Aldi Canola oil is 50 cents cheaper than the Rainbow store brand of Canola oil.
Aldi sells mostly weird special Aldi brands of everything, but much of it was clearly made by the big manufacturer. I saw Triscuit-type Aldi crackers today; those were surely made by Nabisco. The cheese comes from "Happy Farms," not to be confused with Crystal Farms. (The Happy Farms string cheese is actually better than the Crystal Farms string cheese. I think Aldi might do a better job with temperature control.)
They cut service to the absolute bone: you have to "rent" your cart by putting in a quarter (you get it back when you return the cart), they don't take checks or credit cards, and they don't even have a listed phone number, because then they'd have to have an employee to answer the phone. However, they really, honestly do pass the savings on to the customer.
And while they cut things to the bone, they do it in a smart, efficient way. The lines move fast. Your cashier puts all your stuff straight back into a cart, which you can then roll over to a long counter to bag yourself. You have to buy bags if you didn't bring them, but the bags they sell are huge and sturdy.
It's actually pretty close to my house -- only a mile past the Rainbow. I can stop at United Noodle on my way home if I need Asian ingredients. I do have to make a trip to the Rainbow, as well, because Aldi's selection is limited, and anyway, there are always some sale items that are cheaper at the Rainbow.
I find it surprisingly satisfying to shop at Aldi, despite the extra trip.
And you know something else I like about Aldi? They give their cashiers a chair so that they can sit down while they're working.
And it is cheaper. Way, way cheaper. Cheaper in ways that don't even begin to make sense to me. For example, a sack of apples that costs $3 at the Rainbow is $1.20 - $1.50 at Aldi. I bought a pint of Del Monte grape tomatoes today for $1.30; those are at least $2.50 at the Rainbow, often more. One pound of store-brand butter at the Rainbow is priced at over $3, though it regularly goes on sale for $2; butter at Aldi is always $2. They had grapes at Aldi for $2.89 for two pounds; a three-pound sack of onions for 79 cents; a four-pack of bell peppers (two green, one yellow, one red) for $1.79. (I think I understand the peppers -- they're all much smaller at Aldi. My guess is that peppers get sorted by size, with the large ones going to regular grocery stores, and the small ones going to discounters. All the other produce is indistinguishable from what I'd buy at the Rainbow.)
At the Rainbow, sausage is usually about $4 or $5 for a pound of it; it goes on sale for $2.50. At Aldi, they sell a three pound pack of Polish sausages for $3.30.
The Aldi Canola oil is 50 cents cheaper than the Rainbow store brand of Canola oil.
Aldi sells mostly weird special Aldi brands of everything, but much of it was clearly made by the big manufacturer. I saw Triscuit-type Aldi crackers today; those were surely made by Nabisco. The cheese comes from "Happy Farms," not to be confused with Crystal Farms. (The Happy Farms string cheese is actually better than the Crystal Farms string cheese. I think Aldi might do a better job with temperature control.)
They cut service to the absolute bone: you have to "rent" your cart by putting in a quarter (you get it back when you return the cart), they don't take checks or credit cards, and they don't even have a listed phone number, because then they'd have to have an employee to answer the phone. However, they really, honestly do pass the savings on to the customer.
And while they cut things to the bone, they do it in a smart, efficient way. The lines move fast. Your cashier puts all your stuff straight back into a cart, which you can then roll over to a long counter to bag yourself. You have to buy bags if you didn't bring them, but the bags they sell are huge and sturdy.
It's actually pretty close to my house -- only a mile past the Rainbow. I can stop at United Noodle on my way home if I need Asian ingredients. I do have to make a trip to the Rainbow, as well, because Aldi's selection is limited, and anyway, there are always some sale items that are cheaper at the Rainbow.
I find it surprisingly satisfying to shop at Aldi, despite the extra trip.
And you know something else I like about Aldi? They give their cashiers a chair so that they can sit down while they're working.
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no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 06:23 am (UTC)I wish they'd open up in the Bay Area, but maybe their profit margins are too thin for the rents out here. We have Grocery Outlet, which is nice, but not good for staples since their selection is entirely random.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 04:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 04:41 pm (UTC)I've heard they're expanding. Write 'em a letter!
no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 05:02 pm (UTC)A Trader Joe's is slated to open in St. Louis Park "in late spring."
There have also been rumours about one that's going to open in St. Paul.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 05:19 pm (UTC)St. Paul, though. That's much more convenient.
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Date: 2006-01-23 06:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 08:09 am (UTC)I don't mind packing my own stuff. Sometimes I prefer it, because I don't want my stuff squished!
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Date: 2006-01-23 08:30 am (UTC)The idea of it is ofset by the plastic protective nets on so many of the fruits.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 08:39 am (UTC)Seriously though, I wish my local grocery stores would at least adopt the bag card, if not the overpackaging.
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Date: 2006-01-23 02:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 08:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 02:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 11:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 03:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 05:38 pm (UTC)About the only thing I don't buy there is chicken. It has a higher percentage of salt and water added to it than at Rainbow or Cub.
Bagging at Rainbow: Looks like they're trying a bunch of ways to bring in more profits. It's not at the "flail around trying everything possible" level from before Roundys bought Rainbow -- yet.
But I consider it a bad sign.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 06:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-24 03:02 pm (UTC)Sandy
http://imponderabilia.blogspot.com/