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Home > Blogs > Here's the Deal: Bargains in Hamilton and Middletown > Archives > 2009 > May > 01 > Entry
ALDI: Good value with a bad rep
This isn’t the ALDI you’re used to.
Some shopping snobs turn up their noses when they hear the name of the discount grocer, but these are the same fools who think it makes them more chic to buy from stores like Trader Joe’s (which is owned by the same company as ALDI silly). It’s not what you think, especially the new prototype store opened in Middletown
Unlike the old location — or any other of the 1,000 ALDI in America for that matter — the store is flooded with light, and freshened up with bright colors and flooring. The company has incorporated many “green” energy-efficient features such as LED lighting and motion centers. The simple layout of four wide aisles and five cash registers make it easy to get in and get out.
Yes, 95 percent of the 1,400 items in stock are house-brand, but in tests against the national brands have scored high points. And if you don’t like it, you can take the item back and receive a product replacement and a refund through the Double Guarantee, said Martha Swaney, spokeswoman for ALDI.
“There really is no risk to try it and it costs about 50 percent less than the competition,” she said.
Like the cheese I sampled at the new store opening. Perhaps it takes a more delicate palette, but I would dub it at least as good as Kraft.
“This is just superb,” said Ken Stanger of Middletown as he sampled some ice cream, “I had no idea how good the food was, or how cheap!”
When asked if he would start shopping at ALDI he nodded vigorous.
“When it’s this good, who wouldn’t?”
Melissa Hathorne said she had shopped at ALDI before but “this new one is beyond expectation.
“When you think how much money you can save, the question really is why aren’t you shopping here,” she said.
The house brands as well as only offering one of everything in the most commonly-used size helps ALDI cut costs and pass that to the consumer. They reduce overhead by encouraging residents to bring their own bags.
With prices like 49 cents for a head of lettuce and $6.25 for four boxes of pasta and a jar of spaghetti sauce, it’s hard to argue against their pricing. And after sampling everything from cheese and sausage to ice cream and juice, I can’t fault their quality either.
So instead of worrying about chic, be a smart shopper and try out ALDI. I’m not ashamed to say I shop there and am loving it.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Savings tips
Comments
By Mandy
May 1, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
A very wealthy Hamilton woman who is in her 90s once told me she only buys her wine at ALDI. She says she sometimes finds rare brands as well as the best prices there.By msmouth
May 3, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this
I would love to shop at aldi in hamilton, great prices on everything but the smell you get as you open the doors walk in is awful, smells like spolied food maybe mop the floors or somthingBy Melanie Marie Shifflett Ridner
May 3, 2009 10:04 AM | Link to this
I have been shopping Aldi’s grocery stores for many years clear back to when my children were age six and on.Aldi’s is an excellant store.By Melanie Marie Shifflett Ridner
May 3, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this
The prices are great and the Hamilton store is very well kept and has the nicest people as well as great prices. I always shop there.By Dianna Davis
May 3, 2009 10:01 PM | Link to this
I love to shop at Aldi’s, but I live in Oxford. If they would just build one here I would be even happier. I’m sure they would do great business and give Kroger and Wal Mart a run for their money!By gg549
May 4, 2009 7:47 AM | Link to this
LOVE going to Aldi’s, especially around the holidays! There are some kind of goodies to be found. I too love the wine. Your not always going to find everything there that you like but it worth a try. Pretty funny when the Reiter truck drops off milk there isn’t it…By coupons for groceries
July 26, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this
Thank you much for that useful piece of text.