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After two years of rising costs, grocery prices are finally starting to cool off. NPR reported on July 13 that grocery prices, according to the latest consumer inflation report, rose just over 1% in the last 12 months. In comparison, prices increased nearly 5% the previous year and peaked into the double digits in 2022.
Despite the slowing of grocery inflation, shoppers are still feeling the sting of expensive grocery prices. This has led many savvy shoppers to swap more expensive grocers in favor of affordable grocery chains, like Aldi. The supermarket chain has become so popular in the United States that it was announced in March 2024 that there would be 800 new Aldi stores by the end of 2028 nationwide.
Whether inflation is peaking or cooling off, Aldi has turned into the best place to shop for groceries for many Americans.
What Positions Aldi as the Best Place To Shop for Groceries?
In June 2024, GOBankingRates surveyed 1,023 Americans on the topic of grocery store chains. When asked which grocery chain they feel has lowered prices enough to combat inflation over the last year, Aldi was the number one pick for nearly 20% of overall respondents.
John Gugle is the founder of Gugle Wealth Advisory, a CFP and a self-described “religious Aldi shopper.” Gugle told GOBankingRates he even managed to convince his fiancée to switch to shopping at Aldi. Though resistant at first, Gugle said she now brags to her friends about how much money she saves during grocery runs.
Gugle, and his fiancée, are loyal Aldi fans for a few reasons.
Cheaper Food Staples, Thanks To Private Labels
Not surprisingly, low prices are a major draw for Aldi shoppers.
The prices for bread, eggs, milk, fresh produce and cheese are among the lowest prices Gugle has seen around — and he’s done his homework. After conducting price comparisons with other local grocery chains, including Harris Teeter, Publix and Food Lion, Gugle said Aldi has lower prices.
One way Aldi has been able to keep its prices low without sacrificing quality is thanks to selling Aldi-exclusive brands. A general Aldi spokesperson told GOBankingRates that their stores are stocked with 90% private labels, one-in-three of which are award-winning.
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“Working closely with our suppliers, we create products that meet or beat the quality and taste of pricier national brands for a fraction of the cost,” the Aldi spokesperson said.
And while Gugle said it’s harder to find name brand items for sale at Aldi, he doesn’t mind swapping those out for private labels. “Many times, I think these taste better than the name brands.”
A Smaller Selection
Aldi does a few things differently than your typical grocery store. Products are displayed in the boxes they arrive in and music does not play on an overhead speaker. These are both deliberate decisions on the supermarket’s part to better operate with simplicity.
There’s also a lot less available to shop. According to the Aldi spokesperson, maintaining a smaller selection allows the grocery chain to fill it with items they know shoppers want and need, like premium cuts of meat, fresh produce and trending items found in the Aldi Finds aisle. Having a “less is more” mindset means Aldi is able to operate its stores efficiently and minimize waste while still passing savings on to customers.
As a grocery shopper, Gugle appreciates the smaller selection as it translates to less customer fatigue.
“When I go into Aldi, I know how the store is laid out,” he said. I do not waste time sifting through 20 or 30 aisles. Smaller stores means I can get in and get out with exactly what I need.”
Operating With Efficiency = Big Savings
Earlier, we mentioned a few of the ways Aldi operates a little differently in the name of efficiency. This kind of speed and efficiency is another reason why Gugle loves to shop at Aldi, who is especially impressed by Aldi’s checkout line.
“Their checkout line is the fastest in the world!” Gugle said. “They speedily scan every item, put it in a cart at the end of the checkout lane and you replace your cart with the one they just filled with your items. And you can put your credit card in before they finish scanning everything.”
All these tweaks with efficiency and simplicity at the forefront mean customers, according to the Aldi spokesperson, are able to save up to 40% on their weekly grocery bill compared to traditional grocers.
A Hidden Opportunity To Earn an Extra 25 Cents
What’s the story with Aldi’s quarter cart system? The way the quarter cart system works is shoppers have to pay a quarter to unlock a chain for their shopping cart. To get your quarter back, you have to return your cart.
And while not every Aldi customer is diligent about returning their cart, there’s a small financial incentive in it for those that do. The opportunity to pick up an extra 25 cents.
“I get excited when I find a cart left in the parking lot. That means an extra quarter for me to return it 25 feet,” said Gugle.
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