15 things every bargain shopper needs to know about Aldi

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If you’re trying to reduce your expenses, your grocery budget is a great place to start.

And shopping at Aldi, the no-frills supermarket chain, is one of the easiest ways to cut your grocery bill in half ‘ and there are no coupons required!

Read more: Best things to buy at Aldi

How to maximize your savings at Aldi

If you’re a fan of Clark, you probably already know the man loves Aldi — and the reason why is because the retailer makes saving money so easy.

How?

Here’s a look at some interesting and surprising facts that will help explain why the discount grocer has quickly become one of America’s favorites!

1. 90% of products are Aldi exclusive brands

One of the ways Aldi saves shoppers up to 50% on groceries is by stocking its shelves mostly with private label items, mixing in only a few brand name products throughout the store.

There are nearly two dozen Aldi exclusive labels, which are tested to meet or beat the quality of national brands.

15 things you probably didn't know about Aldi

2. Special diet? They’ve got you covered

Although the typical Aldi store is only 10,000 to 11,000 square feet, the retailer manages to pack in enough food to fit any shopper’s lifestyle. Here are some of the brands and labels to look for:

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  • liveGfree: Line of gluten free foods
  • Elevation: Protein bars and powders
  • Never Any!: Meat with no antibiotics, no hormones added and no animal by-products
  • SimplyNature: Products made with honest ingredients

You also won’t find added MSG, certified synthetic colors and partially hydrogenated oils in any Aldi exclusive brand food products.

3. Aldi has a secret test kitchen

At its headquarters in Batavia, Illinois, Aldi has a kitchen where its products are taste-tested. If a product doesn’t meet the company’s standards, Aldi works with the supplier to improve it.

In-house chefs also create recipes, like this German style grilled cheese, which are shared on Aldi’s website.

german grilled cheese aldi

4. BYOB (bring your own bags)

In addition to bringing a quarter along to borrow a cart (don’t worry you get your 25¢ back when you return the buggy), Aldi encourages shoppers to bring their own reusable bags to avoid having to buy them.

If you’re really in a pinch, feel free to pick up an empty box around the store to haul your groceries.

5. They’ve got baby products, too!

Diapers may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Aldi, but the retailer sells those as well! Its Little Journey line also includes formula, baby pouches and snacks.

xx things you probably didn't know about Aldi

6. Double Guarantee

Not satisfied with something you bought at Aldi? Not a problem. You can return any Aldi exclusive brand food item and get your money back, plus the manager will replace the item.

The Double Guarantee doesn’t apply to non-food Aldi Finds items, alcohol and national brands.

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7. Don’t skip the middle aisle

Each week, Aldi features some awesome deals on an assortment of items as part of its weekly Aldi Finds ad. These are premium food and household products that are available for a limited time.

All of the red hot specials are updated weekly on the retailer’s website.

8. New locations are opening nationwide

Aldi serves more than 40 million customers every month at its more than 1,600 stores in 35 states, but it expects to expand to nearly 2,000 stores by the end of 2018.

Don’t have an Aldi nearby? These locations are celebrating grand openings!

  • Brooksville, FL
  • Port St. Lucie, FL
  • Wheaton, IL
  • Fort Wayne, IN
  • Easton, MD
  • Van Buren Township, MI
  • Burnsville, MN
  • Forest City, NC
  • Jacksonville, NC
  • Shelby, NC
  • Winston-Salem, NC
  • Winterville, NC
  • Spartanburg, SC
  • Mount Pleasant, SC
  • North Myrtle Beach, SC
  • Fort Worth, TX
  • Tomball, TX
  • Chesapeake, VA
  • Chester, VA
  • Kenosha, WA

9. Items have multiple UPC codes

Have you ever noticed there’s more than one UPC code on Aldi items? Along with having customers bag their own groceries, this is designed to speed up the checkout process.

10. Aldi is compatible with some cash back apps

Even though most of Aldi’s items are private label, there are still some cash back apps that will reward you for buying various items and uploading a receipt using your smartphone.

Checkout 51 is one of them, but there’s another app that perhaps works even better at Aldi. Read more here.

checkout 51 aldi

11. Time you trips carefully

Aldi may be the size of a CVS, but its hours are different. The grocery store is open during the most popular shopping hours, usually from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday; and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Hours may vary slightly by location, so check with your local store so you know exactly when to shop.

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12. Healthier checkout lanes are coming soon

Great news for parents! Aldi is replacing candy bars at the checkout lanes with trail mixes, dried fruits and granola bars. Healthier checkouts will be introduced to all locations in 2017.

To give customers better options, items must meet this criteria:

  • Reduced calories per serving
  • Less saturated fat
  • Less sugar per serving
  • Less sodium per serving

13. Stores are getting a makeover

Aldi has announced a $1.6 billion plan to remodel and expand more than 1,300 U.S. locations by 2020. Updated stores will have a modern design with open ceilings and natural lighting.

The refreshed stores will provide more space for produce, meat and bakery items.

aldi new look

Read more: Your local Aldi is getting a whole new look!

14. Credit cards are now accepted

There was a time when people may have avoided shopping at Aldi because they couldn’t use a credit card, but those days are gone! The chain now accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

And if you’re managing your money the old-fashioned way, they’ll gladly take your cash as well.

15. Aldi is earning some major recognition

With prices so low, it’s probably no surprise that Aldi has been recognized as the value leader among U.S. grocery stores for the sixth year in a row, according to an independent survey of consumers.

And there’s more good news in a separate survey of shoppers conducted by Kantar TNS, a global research agency.

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Aldi’s Broken Clouds Pinot Noir and SimplyNature Organic White Cheddar Puffs were voted 2017 Product of the Year winners in the wine and salty snacks categories.

What are your favorite things to buy at Aldi? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter.

Read more: Secret Aldi savings trick you probably haven’t tried

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