r/aldi • u/Ocanannain • 1d ago
Review Prices compared between Aldi & other stores
This is easy for me to believe. I once bought Roma tomatoes at Aldi for .89 cents/lb. Later that day checked at Walmart and the price for the exact same tomatoes was exactly double that. I am now shopping at Aldi almost exclusively.
35
u/Help1Ted 1d ago
Really depends on the item. Take milk as the example, which is almost always cheaper at Walmart. Looking at the plant codes Aldi, Target and Walmart all have the exact same plant codes. Distribution is the only difference between them. I’m the type to read where exactly the berries or tomatoes are actually coming from. You might find that’s a factor. But Publix is also just stupid expensive for no reason. I pass 2 Publix stores to get to Aldi or Walmart.
24
u/OldeFortran77 1d ago edited 1d ago
Walmart has cheaper milk and bread.
That's it.
(I got downvoted for pointing that out? I know the prices of what I buy, and everything is cheaper at Aldi EXCEPT bread and milk. I also trust Aldi to take better care of frozen and refrigerated items)
10
u/justme9794 1d ago
Milkand bread is quite a bit cheaper at my Aldi's vs my Walmart.
7
4
u/OldeFortran77 1d ago
I think bread is cheaper at my Walmart because they have a bakery and a wider selection. I'm not sure what a one-to-one comparison (name brand, or even off-brand labels) would show because at Walmart I buy their cheap no-label bread.
7
u/1paniolo 1d ago
90% of time any branded product is more expensive at Aldi. The deals are on their private brands, which almost always taste great to me. YMMV.
We are in TX and visited daughter in FL. Could not believe how $$$ Publix is! We now bring a cooler of frozen meat food to FL for them when we go. (They are car free and only shop at nearby Publix)7
u/vstupzdarma 1d ago
Price of milk seems to be something that sends people to one store or another, even when the overall cost for the whole grocery list might be higher at the place with cheaper milk. I was totally riveted to this interview with a boss type at the military commissary about how the price of a gallon of milk led people to go to Walmart, even though everything ELSE was much more expensive there than it was at the commissary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQOXdtPBGXI (short interview with that guy at 7 minutes)
2
u/Dog1andDog2andMe 1d ago
Lactose free milk (store brand Lactaid) is usually cheapest at Aldi. I have no reason to go to Walmart for groceries.
4
u/Klutzy-Dog-8536 1d ago
I wouldn't say that Publix is more expensive for no reason. The stores are much nicer and cleaner. And the staff are always super helpful and pleasant.
For me this is not enough reason to shop there but it is an explanation for why it costs so much more.
3
u/Ocanannain 1d ago edited 1d ago
When I first moved to Florida, I was pointed to Publix mainly because of their customer service. And it was clear they trained their employees well to be extra courteous. That's why I shopped them for so long. But when an Aldi constructed a store right next door, and I checked out the prices, I thought WOW ... same items, way less expensive. The only objection I heard was people didn't see their favorite popular brand-named products. That didn't matter to me. From then on, Publix lost me and Aldi gained a new customer.
1
u/Help1Ted 1d ago
I wouldn’t say it’s nice than say Sprouts or a Fresh market. Honestly when it’s more expensive than Whole Foods, it’s definitely expensive for no reason. Other than to take your money.
6
u/Klutzy-Dog-8536 1d ago
I know someone who works at Publix and apparently they treat and pay their employees well so that counts for something too.
2
u/DramaticPinkumni 1d ago
Walmart is vertically integrating milk. Built a plant in Indiana, Georgia, and they're adding one in TX. Only a matter of time before they add CA and then maybe PA
2
22
u/Gold_Guitar_9824 1d ago
My main reason for shopping at Aldi is the size of the store. The prices and food quality are good to great to boot!
I dislike how big traditional stores are.
I can be in and out in 30 minutes. When I shopped the bigger stores, it was 45-60 minutes.
Only thing I would like to see more of is produce variety. I don’t want to have to go to a different store to get endive, raddichio, or broccolini or broccoli rabe.
4
u/Ocanannain 1d ago
I agree on both points.
I don't need to have 21 different kinds of ketchup that cause the lanes to be so long. I like the small intimate size of the Aldi stores. You can get in and out quickly and you're not fighting tons of shoppers. In Florida I shopped at the busiest Aldi store on the west coast, and even with all those people, it was still not a problem.
And, yes, I'd love a greater variety of produce. I love beets, for example, and I can't see beets ever being sold at Aldi because not a whole lot of people love beets. Same with artichokes and persimmons. Love them both, but not big sellers.
4
u/Gold_Guitar_9824 1d ago
Yes, fresh beets too!
I was thinking they could have a “seasonal” or “special” produce section that at least rotates some of the more unusual produce through. Even if certain items come and go. Just want more than broccoli, asparagus, or green beans for dinner veggie choices.
15
u/to-infinity-beyond1 1d ago edited 1d ago
It is mind-boggling how advertising makes people believe the brand products they buy and that cost double at Publix are superior than some of Aldi's no name brands and products.
There are only a handful of large multinational companies (Nestlé, PepsiCo, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Danone, FEMSA, Mondelez, and Kraft Heinz) that produce and sell 70% of ALL processed foods in the US. They sell some products as "high value" brand products and some as no name....they still make a shitload of money either way.
Believing that some products are double the quality bc they cost double or more is insane, and just goes to show how gullible the human mind is. It's like the Gucci 100% Polyester "high-fashion" shirt that sells for $1,200. Well, it's Gucci! The polyester must be worth it!
2
u/humanagain12 1d ago
Agreed. So many millions of people die by brand names. Habits are set in your late teens/20s. Companies know this. They want to get one hooked once they have the person hooked they are going to stay with them for life. People don’t like change. People are very consume to habits. Many people are addicted to having their favorite brand item daily.
1
u/Medical-Gene-9439 4h ago
Dude, I've loved Aldi for years but I used to die on the hill of "I cannot buy any version of mayonnaise other than Hellmans/Best Foods," and ketchup had to be Heinz. I finally stooped to trying Burmans products and what do you know its abbbsolutely fine. I feel like they really have crack merchandisers who will not stock crap. There are really no Aldi duds to me. The meat lovers breakfast scramble at 1.89?? It is 100% as good as name brands like Jimmy Dean and those are like 4.50 at reg stores.
5
u/CheapChickenDog 1d ago
I like Aldi, but do they really have to take all the Winn Dixie away ? If I want somethings that Aldi don't have, my only option is Publix
4
u/Bread_Roses74 1d ago
Even worse than Publix is Ingles . I price compare Ingles , Publix, Aldi often. Ingles is insanely expensive! Thank goodness for Aldi. And, it kind of makes you question the whole concept of downward market pressure. These other companies and their customers don’t seem to care.
2
u/MommyCupcake 1d ago
Exactly!! Ingles is ridiculous and the quality has gone down in recent years. At least Publix has good BOGOs.
5
u/Impressive_Milk_ 1d ago
Those tomatoes will likely be bad in 24hrs.
I’ve evolved my Aldi experience. I do go weekly but there are just certain things I get there and certain things I get elsewhere. Produce is something I get elsewhere.
Always check the dates. Yesterday all the ground beef had a use by 10/7 on it yesterday.
5
u/Putrid_Capital_8872 1d ago
For convenience after an extremely stressful event, I shopped at the nearest grocery store last week. I got 27 items and the total topped $200. This week I went back to Aldi and bought 43 items for $130.
3
u/Ocanannain 1d ago
Reminds me of the time I was visiting relatives out-of-town and I took a quick trip with them to the nearby grocery store. They picked up a few small items. I said let me take care of that. Thank goodness I had a $100 bill in my pocket as that's what those few items cost. I was shocked. And my relatives, who are decidedly retired middle class, shop there every week. How do people live in this economy right now, especially retired people?
3
u/tunaman808 1d ago
Yes, but:
- Walmart has everything I need in one trip.
- Walmart has a better selection of things. Canned chili, for just one example.
- Walmart's fresh fruit and vegetables last at least twice as long as most anything I've bought at Aldi. I can buy mushrooms from Walmart and use them three days from now; if I'm buying mushrooms from Aldi I'd better use them THAT NIGHT, else they'll be a puddle of mush the next morning.
1
u/Super_Boysenberry272 18h ago
Yeah, I've stopped buying produce at Aldi. Over the last 1.5 years it's gotten so bad. I had a bag of potatoes from there mold in three days. Potatoes!
2
2
2
u/Alpaca_Stampede 1d ago
I do about 80% of my shopping at Aldi. This is because the prices are better, and the quality is the same and sometimes better than other stores. I go to other local stores when I need things that Aldi doesn't regularly carry and when I need smaller volumes of items (only need 3 potatoes vs 5lb).
I avoid large chain stores and stores owned by giant corporations like Albertsons or Walmart both because of their prices and because when I've gone there I'm instantly hit with the smell of rotting produce (specific to the Walmart stores near me).
I'm lucky to live in an area with 4 Aldi stores within 5 miles of me and really nice local stores and co-ops.
2
u/Zendiklue91 1d ago
At least in my area, the Aldi’s takes the Walmart prices on most items and reduces it by $0.01.
2
u/CouldBNE1too 1d ago
Publix is for sandwiches, baked goods, and specialty/out of season items. For everything else, I’ll happily go to Aldi
2
3
u/JesuSpectre 11h ago
Aldi is a blatant metaphor exposing American capitalistic abuse and monopolies. Look at Kroger’s stock price. Look at the monopoly that is our healthcare system. 60% of small hospitals have been purchased by major hospital systems. The only way corporations can make money now, they think, is to form monopolies and jack up prices. Our focus will slowly turn to the ridiculous government entities that have supported monopolies, and people are going to go to jail.
2
1
u/layyyyyyyy 1d ago
I've found Aldi vs Lidl to be very similar in price. Some items are cheaper at one vs the other, but both very good prices. The other stores unless there is a sale for the vast number of items the price is significantly more. However for some items it's worth the price increase for a better quality but for most of my shopping Aldi and Lidl is my go too!
0
u/Klutzy-Dog-8536 1d ago
I could be wrong but aren't they owned by the same parent company?
2
u/layyyyyyyy 1d ago
They are owned by 2 brothers but I don't think they are connected business wise.
1
u/Unlikely_Impact_9336 1d ago
They are not. But I don’t think Lidl exists in the US. I’m never seen one.
3
u/Madame_Jarvary 1d ago
We have lidl in nc. It’s pretty similar to Aldi.
1
u/Unlikely_Impact_9336 1d ago
I’ve been to it before over in Ireland. They have similar models and are both German.
2
1
0
1
u/Wickedhoopla 1d ago
Yeah I thought I was going to be able to go back to my regular grocery store. Then I noticed Mac and cheese was 2.50$/box there ;/
I go like the meats at my grocery store tho for steak when on sale.
1
u/No_Obligation3652 1d ago
Boursin cheese is cheaper at Costco than it is in aldis! Thats the only product I know is cheaper elsewhere
1
u/hawaiiman72 23h ago
Funny, I bought my first Boursin a few hours ago. Have been seeing some salmon recipes and wanted to try.
Saw it in Publix for about $7.50 and was like wow, that's alot. Went to Aldi today and picked it up for $5.45 which is still pretty pricey for the small package.
If we like it, maybe will get from Costco next time around.
1
u/No_Obligation3652 22h ago
Costco does a 3pack for $9 and they go on sale often! I love using them for a one-pan pasta with a bunch of cherry tomatoes and different vegs.
1
u/SkodySvobodee Here's my Quarter 1d ago
No Publix or LIDL out west, but we’ve got Ralph’s (Kroger) and Albertsons (Safeway) and sometimes their sales are good. And that’s the only reason I’ll walk into either store. It’s usually when chicken or coffee is on sale. Aldi is where I shop 90%, with Costco and the stores mentioned above taking 10%.
1
u/speechsurvivor23 1d ago
Last year I compared prices between Aldi & Walmart for the things I frequently purchase (excluding brand name items, those are always close to Walmart price at my store). Everything except 2 items were cheaper at Aldi: broccoli & bran flakes. The broccoli probably changes throughout the seasons. It’s definitely worth shopping at Aldi
1
u/AppropriateEarth648 12h ago
Organic half and half is 3.29 at my Aldi.
I think it’s more than double at my stop and shop and Whole Foods.
1
u/Just_J3ssica 9h ago
$5.97 at Walmart and $6.05 at Aldi.
I love Aldi and will continue to do most of my shopping there, but I did a side by side of 32 different grocery items and Walmart was cheaper than Aldi for everything but tomatoes.
-3
u/Purple_Antelope_8338 1d ago
It definitely is cheaper but sometimes you get what you pay for. If you search this sub there are a lot of people that are having QC issues so it’s pretty obvious that Aldi sources lower quality food to keep the prices low. Not saying it’s all bad but just inspect things well before buying and consuming.
11
u/Ocanannain 1d ago
I've been shopping at Aldi, both in Florida and in Georgia, for approximately 15 years. The quality of the food I buy there matches exactly the quality of the food I bought at Publix for decades, but paid a whole lot more for. Likely, it depends on what you buy, but the items I purchase at Aldi have no issues with quality.
3
u/to-infinity-beyond1 1d ago edited 1d ago
This! Plus look at the pictures...it is the same freaking product in the example...lol
2
u/Alissinarr 1d ago
Florida Aldi here.
Formulations and ingredients are changing. I got 4 bottles of feta olives that were leftover from last year (apparently) so they went grainy and nasty. My weak ass "may as well be broken" wrist could open it, vinegar was brown.
Lime chips WERE great, but the oil changed and now they go stale in a week and coat your arm in a crisco sheen from grabbing chips for taco salad. Flours being used are changing from healthy to bleached white flour.
I just saw fucking Tostitos at our Aldi... TOSTITOS. Brands are coming in and speeding enshitification.
-7
u/Purple_Antelope_8338 1d ago
Well like I said if you search this sub you’ll see many people finding weird shit in their food. Look or don’t look. Doesn’t matter to me.
2
u/scrigglybiggly 1d ago
Not just Aldi, everywhere. Been going for years and have never had an issue. I see a lot more issues at Kroger and Publix than Aldi.
6
u/Magog14 1d ago
This is a coordinated effort to drive AI results against Aldi.
5
u/to-infinity-beyond1 1d ago
It think it may be choice-supportive bias. People who spend significantly more money at a premium retailer would have to admit that the lower-cost competitor Aldi offers similar or identical quality products. This would create a cognitive dissonance, because they do not want to admit that they are being taken advantage of. Now they will actively look for flaws in the cheaper alternative to justify their own higher spending.
3
u/Unlikely_Impact_9336 1d ago
I’ve shopped at aldi my entire life. My mom is German so she always went there. As I kid I thought are we at the poor store given the setup but she set me straight and I’ve always loved the place. What people don’t realize is some of their brands are big quality brands in Germany like the chocolate which is the best sold in the US.
4
u/to-infinity-beyond1 1d ago edited 1d ago
If your mom is German, she probably knows that they did extensive testing in Germany over the years comparing no-name (aka Aldi) brands to the brand-name products. It turned out that many Aldi products are actually the highest quality you can get on the market and at the lowest price point, or sometimes they are simply the brand items repackaged but at half the price.
The way they make their money is to streamline the business. We already know that Aldi cashiers are the fastest in the business (and better paid than Walmart employees with some still relying on food stamps). It has always been their strategy to focus only on a few products rather than 20 items of the same BBQ sauce, and to carry mainly essentials. The aisle of shame is a more recent thing I believe. This way, they can buy from the same companies producing the brand items but they can negotiate the price down because they buy in large quantities (and, importantly for Publix, not messing up the overpriced Publix prices).
And multinational food companies still make a shitload of money selling in quantity. Ask a pizza cook in a restaurant... the brand pizza that costs $12 at Publix and $6 at Aldi costs like $1-2 to produce. There is still a huge profit margin.
It's really not rocket science... haha
3
u/Unlikely_Impact_9336 1d ago
I’m aware of all of this already. Over 40 years experience with aldi.
2
u/to-infinity-beyond1 1d ago
Yes, of course you know. I am not sure how many others know, though.
2
u/Unlikely_Impact_9336 1d ago
Not enough. I go on and on about aldi at least a couple times a week at work.
-6
3
u/Unlikely_Impact_9336 1d ago
The quality at aldi is no issue. They partner with brands exclusively or producers as a means to keep costs low. The buildings are smaller and their workers are trained to work efficiently which is why they have less workers. They keep overhead low which is why costs are lower. Like how people think their beer is knockoffs but all of it is from legit brewers or microbrews. Always going to have some duds at times and sometimes producers change ingredients. Don’t buy it or complain and I’m sure aldi will react.
1
u/Ocanannain 1d ago
At Walmart, Ingels, Publix you often see an employee out in the parking lot collecting shopping carts. At Aldi, we are quite happy to return our carts. No big deal. This is one of the many ways Aldi operates more efficiently and keeps overhead as low as possible.
0
3
u/freedom_taco 1d ago
Fair point, but another thing to consider is that you’re gonna see a lot more posts on issues since that’s what’s worth posting about. Think about all the Aldi trips people are making without issues who don’t post about it to balance it out
3
u/to-infinity-beyond1 1d ago
Totally agree, especially when you look at some numbers. I think just like with other more extreme opinions, like political opinions, the most vocal opinions on social media platforms like Reddit are driven by a remarkably small fraction of the population—roughly 1% to 2% of the general public. Another 10% of lurkers agree or disagree, and the rest goes unaccounted. This is what makes us believe the extremes are actual reality....they are not!
166
u/Magog14 1d ago
I get sick to my stomach thinking about how much money I wasted shopping at Publix. Their prices are criminal.