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
Royal Dansk Danish Butter Cookies, Premium Assorte...
$3.99 (as of December 13, 2025 16:28 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Frito-Lay Fun Times Mix Variety Pack, (Pack of 40)
$15.67 (as of December 13, 2025 16:28 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Premier Protein Shake, Chocolate, 30g Protein, No ...
$31.98 (as of December 13, 2025 16:28 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee, Medium Espr...
$25.19 (as of December 13, 2025 16:28 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
I don’t know what Parkview plant is making the Brats & Italian sausages we get in the Sedalia, MO store, but DON’T let them change the recipes. The brats are the best we’ve tasted…period! Both the hot and mild Italian links are also very good tasting and not a lot of excess fats/fillers, noted.
Thanks ALDIs for keeping meals more affordable.
To whom it may concern,
I would like to start with saying I am a HUGE Aldi’s fan. I recently moved to Park Rapids, Minnesota from Iowa City, Iowa. I would like to request Aldi’s to open a store here. Park Rapids is in a major lakes area making it unique in that its population fluctuates throughout the year roughly by 20,000+ between May and September from families coming up to family cabins and resorts—similar to population fluctuations in Iowa City being a University town. Currently there are two grocery stores-Coborns and Hugo’s, also a super Walmart which serve not only Park Rapids but surrounding small towns that do not have grocery stores. I desperately miss Aldi’s, and know that not only would this company benefit greatly if they were to have a location here, but the people of Park Rapids and surrounding area would be truly grateful. Thank you for your time and consideration.
L. Grisamore
Park Rapids, MN 56470
I really like your sheps chicken and rice dog food but now i can’t find it in your Lyndhurst Ohio location. I ask one of the cashier’s what happened to it and she replied we order it and the don’t send it.Is it recalled. My dog loves it ,I hope you send it soon.Other dog owners have asked also. Thanks.
I am very disappointed that your store no longer sell the sweet harvest jar fruit. Me and 28 of my very close friends live, eat this fruit daily. If you can’t return this product to our selves can you please advise us on how to order and buy this product we love.
Thank you
Memphis Tennessee 28
I lived in Germany for a total of 7 years (ex- military).Two of my favourite items are curryketchup and ziguener sauce,neither of wich I can buy in Leeds West Yorkshire.I can buy bratwurst and other foodstuffs but not those two.I am aware you cannot supply everything,but do you think there is a place somewhere I can buy these items.At the moment I buy them on Amazon,and I pay for them.Please help,I am on my last jars of both.
Amazing the concern with products from China and that one would “never buy a Chinese product”. Well, I don’t know of any Chinese product at Aldi and let’s face it, if you clear Chinese products from American shelves, stores would be almost empty and Walmart would have to close down completely. Secondly, people want the best but don’t want to pay for it. Lastly, people want to buy American but what they want to buy is no longer made in America for above reasons.
Aldi is a great store for basics, often offers superior quality and does indeed respond to complaints. Customer service answers within 24 hours….if you have a PC or Laptop. It is a very good alternative to stores with music , artificial thunderstorms and greeters. Don’t demand Dollar Store prices at Neiman Marcus….it’s that simple.
I frequently shop at Aldi. I like the produces and prices. A couple weeks ago I bought a German pound cake with Almaretto liquor. We liked it so much wanted to buy more.
Cannot find it any longer. I don’t think it was a “special”. Have you stop selling it?
I will NEVER shop at Aldi again . The McKnight rd store #69 rips customers off . I have been over charged six out of seven trips to this store . I sent a complaint to corporate and the response was more of an insult than being over charged . ” Sometimes errors occur” was the reply I got . Six out of seven times ?? Should be ALWAYS errors occur . I was charged for an item not even in my cart the very last trip . In a thousand trips to ANY other grocery store , I was NEVER charged for an item that wasn’t in my cart . This has happened four times at this store . There is a Bottom Dollar and Good Cents a mile away and that is where I will spend my money from now on . They can stick the half hearted “sorry ” up their a$$ . For less than fifty dollars , they lost my $1800.00 average yearly purchases there . And people wonder why companys go out of business ? If they had any customer service , I would have recieved a ” sincere ” apology instead of a bullshit excuse and would consider shopping there again.
Who was the idiot at Aldi’s that rearranged the store? NOT AN IMPROVEMENT. I went to a new Ruler (Kroger) store that is set up to compete with Aldi, and the prices are just as good and nicer store.
I am very disappointed with the products that are listed in your Summer Savings book and items are NOT in the store. I really wanted 2 of the Adventuridge Directors Chair for $26.99. Is there any in any of your stores? I would be glad to pay for shipping, if 2 could be sent. It’s under camping pages 18 which does not expire until August. It looks as if this product was not even offered in our area. I do hold you to your policy. My address is 620 Nix Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501