The Aldi Challenge

When I first started this blog 2 years ago I did so with intentions of only posting weekly ads for Dillons and Hy-Vee. I found that I was regularly purchasing items (name brand even) for myself at these major grocery stores for less than I was paying at Aldi. I learned that by watching the ads and clipping coupons I could purchase items that cost the same, or less, than the Aldi price. My motto has always been that if you can beat the Aldi price, you know you are getting a great deal!

During my 2 week break, I have been doing some thinking and praying about what role this blog would play in my life. The answer came when I got an email from Aldi announcing a week long grocery challenge. They are challenging their customers to shop their store only for 1 week and see how much they save (see full press release below). In their email to me this following statement caught my attention:

"ALDI prices are typically 30 to 40 percent less than store brands at traditional supermarkets and 15 to 20 percent less than big box store brands."

After reading this I was reminded of my original intent of this blog. This blog exists to help my readers learn how to shop wisely at the major grocery stores and pay the least amount possible for items. Another goal of this blog is to provide information about coupons and the best price to pay for an item. The items I pick to post from the weekly ads are items that I know to be a good price based on my years of comparing prices to Aldi. I will frequently tell you if a particluar item beats the Aldi price. I only share coupons that I believe will get you a good price. I also continue to shop at Aldi because some prices really are unbeatable!

Having said all of that, I have decided to continue posting once a week on this blog. I will post the Dillons and Hy-Vee ad every week. If time allows, I will post Apple Market as well. These posts will get posted Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning. I invite you as my readers to always comment with other great deals you may find at these stores throughout the week.

Thank you for being such faithful readers. A BIG thank you to everyone who commented and emailed their encouragement!

The full Aldi press release is below if you want to read it.

ALDI to Launch “One Week Challenge”
Grocer to dare shoppers to compare savings
Average family to save nearly $2,000 annually

Batavia, Ill. (July 15, 2010) – Starting Monday, select assortment discount grocer, ALDI, will boldly launch a “one week challenge,” daring consumers to shop ALDI for one week and compare the cart-to-cart savings to their typical weekly shopping bill. The new campaign comes with its own reward for shoppers: a family of four can save approximately $1,996.80 per year – each year – compared to traditional supermarkets’ store brands, or $998.40 compared to big box store brands.

“Everything we do is designed with one goal in mind – to help our customers stretch their grocery dollars,” said Joan Kavanaugh, ALDI vice president of corporate purchasing. “Competitors may offer specials or sales on an item here or there, but cart-to-cart, no one matches the quality and value ALDI offers everyday.”

Known for offering high quality grocery items, fresh meats and produce at up to 50 percent less than the competition, customers can expect to find more than 1,400 of the most frequently purchased items sold under its exclusive select brands.

The grocer’s streamlined, efficient approach eliminates hidden costs (such as in-store banking, pharmacies, bagging clerks, check cashing, photo processing or other non-essential grocery store services), and passes on the savings to customers in the form of lower prices.

ALDI stores’ efficient layout makes it easy for shoppers to get in, get out and get on with their day, and the smaller store footprint uses less land and utilities, all helping keep prices low on the high quality items offered every day.

“We know that anyone who shops ALDI will save money, but there’s nothing like seeing those receipts for yourself and feeling the satisfaction of having more money left in your pocket,” said Kavanaugh.

Quality, taste and satisfaction are always double guaranteed at ALDI. If for any reason a shopper is not 100% satisfied with any product, ALDI will replace the product and refund the money.

[Note: Estimated savings based on the average $416 monthly grocery shopping bill for a family of four, according to Consumer Reports, 2009. ALDI prices are typically 30 to 40 percent less than store brands at traditional supermarkets and 15 to 20 percent less than big box store brands.]