BS: Aldi Stores

Subject: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 02:00 PM

Aldi is renovating a supermarket building to open a store near my house in Texas. The building is large. Think of it as a square about 50 or 60 meters on each side. The Aldi stores in which I've shopped in other places are much smaller than that. I'm wondering if Aldi operates large supermarket-sized stores elsewhere. Do any of you know? Thanks.
- Phil

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: nutty
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 02:27 PM

Aldi had a small store in my area which was next to a large Somerfield supermarket. When Somerfield were taken over and the store closed Aldi moved into next door and now operate at supermarket size, This seems to be a general trend here in the UK.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Wesley S
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 02:35 PM

I'm pretty sure they're here in the metro Atlanta area. I've seen the ads for them on TV.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Jack Campin
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 03:34 PM

Every Aldi I've seen in the UK or continental Europe has been a ginormous shed.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 03:47 PM

Aldi is a large discount grocery chain based in Germany and reputed to charge less than Walmart. Fewer employees, no frills, mostly large-sized buildings.
They are expanding agressively, with large operations in UK, U. S. A. (25 states so far), Australia, etc.

Look for one near you if you don't have one already.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Joybell
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 04:34 PM

We've got one way out here in rural Victoria, Australia. I's about the size of our other large supermarkets -- not in the same league as Walmart though.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 05:00 PM

Thanks, Aldi is something new around here and I was wondering what to expect.
- Phil
Hey Wes, you missed DFWs first white Christmas in 83 years by moving to Atlanta.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 05:19 PM

The most impressive thing I've seen at Aldi was a store in Germany where there were just two checkout assistants. Their right hands just flew over the keypads while the left hand pushed the goods off the end of the checkout as fast as they could

They made barcode readers look like old technology and shifted the queues in no time - that memory has stuck with me every time I see an assistant turning a product over and over looking for the code to scan, straightening the packaging passing it over the laser a couple of times before laboriously typing the number in

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: olddude
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 06:04 PM

Have them all over the states, their produce is absolutely fine, their canned veggies and soups are very good. I stay away from buying their meat although many do ... got a ham there once and wasn't impressed. However you sure can save some dollars on their produce and cereal and other household goods ..

have to bring your own box or bag here at our local one 15 miles away

Dan

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 06:38 PM

Not in the Rocky Mountain area that I know of...maybe over the Divide in Denver.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Jack Campin
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 06:51 PM

In the UK, Aldi processed foods use a hell of a lot of chemical additives. Their competitors Lidl (also a fast-expanding German budget supermarket chain) uses far fewer than the British norm, so that's where I go. And Lidl catfood is the best deal I've found locally.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Janie
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 07:02 PM

The Aldi here where my parent's live is primarily a discount grocery but will also get in computers and other electronics, occasionally appliances, etc. in lots and sell them at significantly discounted prices.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 07:17 PM

No stores yet in WY, CO or NM

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: artbrooks
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 07:18 PM

None in Albuquerque...at least not yet.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: EBarnacle
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 07:19 PM

I've seen them in NJ, Maryland and points South.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 07:24 PM

Where I live, they are mean-spirited and cheap, carrying mostly the food of the poor - starchy foods and silly things like fruit roll-ups.

I bought a package of their sausages once. They were awful. Weren't spoiled, but weren't nice, either. Far too salty. I soon threw them away.

I buy their Beaumont coffee, however. I've been told to look for their "German coffee," and will try that.

One day I was in an Aldi when a young cashier dropped a dime into a crack. She asked the security guard to pick it up for her, but he just stared at her without speaking. I gave her a dime from my purse, and she was pathetically grateful.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Wesley S
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 07:29 PM

Yeah Phil - The family back home told us about it. I'm sure the whole area came to a grinding halt.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: olddude
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 07:48 PM

don't know about over the pond, but the Aldi store brand veggie's and sauces are made by the exact same companies that do the normal store brand items at all the major food stores in the states. I know that for certain, I have worked with many of the producing plants that are using my software ... everything from Jelly to veggies ... all come from the same plants so Aldi is the same only a lot cheaper in price due to the no frills .. zero frills actually ... however like I said, I stay away from anything but canned or boxed items ... no meat for me ... it is fine but I don't think it has the best quality of taste

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Lox
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 07:51 PM

Aldi are a pretty good company ethically.

Te quality of their produce is nt as high as that of some other supermarkets, but it is affordable to those on low incomes and most importantly, they treat their staff well, paying them much better wages than their competitors and giving them much better job security etc.

I don't shop there as I have a sainsbury's opposite my house, but I would stick up for them.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: olddude
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 08:29 PM

Lox fresh produce I absolutely agree, for the canned veggies it is exactly the same, it is kinda funny I watch the production facilities do a run of canned supermarket store lets say green beans ... the label machine puts store x on it ... then the next run is for store Y .. then an Aldies etc ... exact same ingredients only the label is different... however each chain may consider a product expired due to shelf life longer or shorter than another ... quality in canned is based on shelf life so the longer it sits the less quality ... always best to buy where it moves off the shelf quick since most production codes are cryptic based on the company ...

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 12:25 AM

I look at them as pretty much of a stock-up joint but rarely shop them even for that. There isn't enough difference, sometimes almost none at all, to make them a place I go often.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 03:05 AM

one thing about Aldi in Australia - unlike the Big Two supermarkets who have most of the market cornered - their prices are the same no matter where they trade. So Joybell's Aldi miles from the distribution centres charges the same prices that my local, about 1 mile from Sydney's CBD, does. Until Aldi arrived in Australia folks outside the east coast capital cities paid a lot more for everything.

In some places where an Aldi moves in, the Big Two actually REDUCE their excessive prices because of the competition. My local Big supermarket doesn't seem to have done so since Aldi moved in.

Aldi is for families, so I don't buy a lot from them as I live alone, & also don't use many of their products, but as they're in the same shopping centre I do buy some items there & always check their specials booklet when I visit.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Darowyn
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 05:11 AM

If you want familiar brands, Aldi and Lidl are not for you. If you like exotic, authentic mainland European products, they are excellent.
Pasta, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, delicatessen products- we would not go anywhere else.
As for the random special offers on hardware etc- you'd be a fool to miss them.
Cheers
Dave (wearing my £2.99 Lidl slippers)

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: scouse
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 06:46 AM

We've got a few here in my town (Leiden, Holland) They give great quality, Their Olive Oil is one of the best I've tried for Cooking or over a salad and half the price of other named brands. My mate bought a flat screen TV from them a while back for a ridiculous low price, the things superb. Long may they go on!!!

As Aye,

Phil.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 07:31 AM

They are like everybody else - some of their stuff is good value, other stuff isn't!

I'm typing this on an Aldi (Medion Akoya) netbook which was a really cheap deal. I wasn't expecting wonders, but was impressed. It turned out to be an MSI Wind clone, with useful stuff like the Corel word processor bundled in, and more importantly Windows XP SP3. Also very importantly it has a larger than standard battery so the thing doesn't die after a couple of hours!

The whole deal seems to have been really well, nay Teutonically, thought out, and next time I need a laptop or a base PC I will be considering Aldi.

However, don't expect other people to be impressed by the bling factor of your purchase. Aldi, Lidl etc don't exactly have a Harrods image. There is a nasty joke about a certain UK rustbelt town near here which claims that it's the only place where Aldi and Lidl have a price war!

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 07:41 AM

I was interested in the post from Rafflesbear about the incredible speed of the German check out assistants. The assistant manager at the Aldi store in Sandbach, just up the road from us, is incredibly fast on the checkout too. So fast, in fact, that I was left staring at him in astonishment, when I should have been getting the money out.
Unbelievable, and has to be seen to be believed.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 02:41 PM

Sandra's post about higher prices outside of major eastern centers in Australia reminded me of a footnote in advs. in the U. S. many years ago- "prices slightly higher west of the Mississippi."

Aldi has not yet invaded Canada, but they have been successful in the U. S., so 'twon't be long.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 06:15 PM

Here in the Aus stores I have seen - Aldi keep only the VERY best world quality Chocolate - Dutch usually, at highly competitive prices, and an amazing low priced rosewater 'turkish delight' chocy bar near the checkouts.... :-)

Aldi had a bit of a run in with our Fair Trading boys cause they used to have weekly 'specials' with extremely limited quantities of stock that would sell out in less than an hour. They do seem to bring in slightly higher quantities of most of these, that last a few hours now....

They do computers occasionally, but you will die waiting for them to run them...

They also have a 'charge a fee for credit card transactions' policy.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 07:53 PM

Q - how "slightly" were the prices higher? Or did you live east of the Mississippi?

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 08:03 PM

West. How much higher never specified, but definitely higher when compared with advs. in the eastern papers. Freight charges were blamed. We suspected that the western entrepreneurs were just taking a larger profit.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Dec 09 - 05:58 AM

If Aldi can supply all it's stores across Oz & still be the cheapest supermarket chain, it says something about the other supermarkets. Greed is Good!, sez. the Big Two.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 28 Dec 09 - 06:21 AM

Re Aldi computers, in the UK they put an ad in the national papers when something's coming in. I saw one for the netbook and was round the store quickly (10 minutes away) which explains how I got one. It was black and grey, not white as advertised, also I had to harass the staff a bit but I got one.

I suppose if your hard drive or whatever goes, and you want a new PC quickly it's more problematic but with me it was boys' toy syndrome really.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Penny S.
Date: 28 Dec 09 - 12:56 PM

They, and Lidl, advertise their offers on websites. They come in on Sundays and Thursdays. One of them won a Christmas Pudding tasting against M&S and Waitrsoe.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: bubblyrat
Date: 28 Dec 09 - 03:15 PM

Ok . So,we have a quick history of ALDI coming up ! This is what I was told ,when I first came into contact with ALDI,whilst doing an "NVQ 3" course,called "Euroqualification",back in the 1990s. This involved A) an intensive course in the Dutch language and B) most of the BA degree course in Retailing,at Bournemouth University,compressed into one year !!
    "Aldi " was formed / created by two brothers,who later fell out over policy/methodology ,etc. After that,one brother concentrated on the North German sector,the other on Southern Germany, and ,later,France,The Netherlands,Belgium,etc, and eventually,the UK.
               Their recruiting methods,which I experienced first hand,on a personal ,face-to-face basis,were bizarre,in the extreme,and involved long,staring,up close,eyeball-to-eyeball confrontations ! God help you if one,the other,or both,had halitosis !
    You would be offered,as a trainee manager,a FANTASTIC salary---way beyond what you might expect with any other company in UK ,viz Asda(Walmart)..Sainsbury...Tesco...Waitrose..et al. Even "checkout" operators were offered incredible wages ! The downside was that they own / owned you body and soul......you ask for a HOLIDAY ?? Good heavens, would you not be happier NOT wanting a holiday,in view of the WONDERFUL pay and conditions ALDI were giving you ?? We were even told,by Bournemouth University staff,of people who had gained their BA Retailing Degree,took up a position with ALDI ,and were REFUSED a day off to go back to Bournemouth to actually collect their degree on Graduation Day !! Fuck that !!
    I wouldn't touch these bastards with a barge-pole----it's just slave labour !! Yes,the stuff they sell is cheap,and a lot of it is OK,but they treat their staff like SHIT !! No way !!
Do humanity a favour,and shop somewhere else !!

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Dec 09 - 03:43 PM

bubblyrat, sounds a good deal like Walmart.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 28 Dec 09 - 07:41 PM

FANTASTIC salary ....incredible wages ....doesn't sound like slave labour to me ...

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 01:04 AM

We have a chain of stores here in North Texas that is probably found also in Oklahoma and other mid-south states, called SaveALot. It has some name brands, a lot of store brands that you'd never recognize the names, and these of course are purchased from the big names folks and packaged for the store. They don't carry many sizes and only a few flavors of various things. They maximize the profit by carrying basics only, and they are about 40% less than the "regular" grocery stores because they never advertise. They're usually less expensive than Walmart. Makes me wonder if this other store would compete effectively? SaveALot is a small chain, but it has loyal shoppers because you can really stretch your dollar there.

Let the merchandising games begin. . .

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Smedley
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 03:10 AM

The last time I was in an Aldi, a somewhat snooty woman queueing at the checkout was busy stuffing her Aldi goods into Waitrose bags.

(Waitrose, for non-UK readers, is Britain's most upmarket expensive supermarket.)

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 03:54 AM

"The last time I was in an Aldi, a somewhat snooty woman queueing at the checkout was busy stuffing her Aldi goods into Waitrose bags."

Haha! I know.. I've seen similar things myself! Must be purgatory for them rubbing shoulders with all the smelly bum types.

Aldi are a good employer, they expect their staff to work hard, for good wages. Nothing to say against that.

Their bread section is brilliant for a discount store. And their posh frozen stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: romanyman
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 04:30 AM

oh i love aldi, once ya get used to the strage names on things away ya go saving loads a money, our local aldi looks like crap outside the staff are next to useless ya need ya own bags , then ya get to the booze aisle, oh joy and sooooooo soooooo cheap got rat arsed for a tenner, support ya local aldi the food is great i was amazed at the choice and how things are named different but its the same stuff i buy normally at the big guys, for sometimes less than half the price, fresh fruit and veg is good as is the bread and cakes, but then ya get to the booze aisle mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm oh been there

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Art Thieme
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 04:39 AM

We have a smallish one in Peru, Illinois here. Cheeper than most stores for certain items.

Art

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: bubblyrat
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 08:48 AM

Depends on your preferences, Murray----Money or health ?? I was told that a great many young graduate Aldi executives "burned out" and suffered breakdowns (or breaksdown ?) within less than 2 years.After which they were affluent wrecks,presumably ?

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 09:44 AM

The story going around town is that Aldi will occupy half of the supermarket building and lease the other half to another store. There is a SaveALot and also a Sam's Club less than 10 miles from our house so it should be interesting to watch them compete with Aldi.
- Phil

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 09:55 AM

Re: the lady putting Aldi stuff into Waitrose bags: We use Tesco bags, Somerfield bags, Morrisons bags - whatever bags we have available, because Aldi don't supply free carrier bags of their own.
She may have had the Waitrose bags left over from happier times.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 11:06 AM

I always take the wrong bags into the wrong store. My old mum used to take a Harrods bag into KwikSave which was taking it a bit far.

The best wheeze I've found recently is to take the bags they deliver Waitrose online shopping in to Marks and Spencer. They do give you some looks!

Oh well, soon we'll all have to put our shopping into paper bags like takeaway ones. Should lead to entertainment after visiting the deli counter! (A friend at work once came in with a vindaloo, not realising it had leaked on his Mini passenger seat, all the way up three staircases, and on a Burroughs B6700 computer console. He was somewhat "refreshed" at the time.)

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 05:35 PM

We have a small Aldi store in Worksop (UK) and we usually pop in there once a week to pick up their cheap vegs before heading off to Sainsburys for the rest of our shopping. Their vegetables are amazing prices.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 05:42 PM

Phil, do you shop in SaveALot? I am a regular, making that my first stop, and if they don't have something I need then I head over to Kroger or Albertson's. And for some items I head up to one of the Mexican grocery stores in the area. They have such a different feel, and they always have such an interesting mix of produce and products. Aldi sounds more like a warehouse.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Wowabunga
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 11:41 PM

Tip on Boxes for Aldi Checkout.... I ALWAYS head to the bannanas and empty out one of the very sturdy bannana boxes to use for my groceries. The nice strong boxes are used at home where I mostly use them to carry wood into the house for the cook stove....!

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: beeliner
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 11:58 PM

In Germany, Lidl is far and away the class act in discount foods, with Aldi at the bottom of the barrel and Plus somewhere inbetween.

Lidl's ready-to-eat salad baskets with integral dressing cup, while not cheap, are pure ambrosia. Their juices and juice blends are also excellent.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 12:42 AM

Hi, Maggie. I don't shop at SaveALot often mainly because it's hard to get there from our house. I'm more likely to Sam's Club to buy staples or bulk because it's easier and because it shares a parking lot with Fry's Electronics, and I never pass up a chance to go to Fry's.
- Phil

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 03:18 AM

In Queensland, Oz, alcohol is NOT permitted to be sold in ANY Supermarket. It MUST be sold in a Hotel (including drivethrus) or in a specially licensed store in a Supermarket complex - linked to a particular hotel. Coles, Woolies (Big 2) and Aldi doubtless are spewing... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 07:12 AM

Talking of banning plastic bags, I was in Co. Kerry in the west of Ireland when the ban on supermarkets providing free plastic bags had been in operation for a few months.
RTE Radio was interviewing the Chairman of the Irish Plastic Bag Manufacturing Association (or somesuch), expecting a tale of reduced demand, plummeting profits, redundancies and so on.
But the interviewee was very upbeat.
Seemingly, all the people who had previously used supermarket bags for bin-liners, dog sh1te receptacles and a hundred other purposes, had been forced to buy specialist bin liners, dog sh1te bags etc. and business was booming.
Just goes to show. Not sure what, but it does.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 07:16 AM

The one near me in Gloucester UK won't take credit cards, only edebit cards.
When I said it needs a sign to remind us poor PAYING customers:
ewith a flourish the tiller girl told me there was on on the door as I came in!
What the sign actually said was what they handle - and the Visa sign is pretty prominant. The debit bit is not that visible. And the sign is not in your line of sight on the door but way to the side on a window.
As if we are thinking of credit cards as we enter! We are mentally clocking the things we need, because there is scant logic to a lot of supermarkets' setting-out - the only logic is to keep you instore as long as posible.

Aldi is cheap because they don't have frills, frills like intelligent designers.

As mother used to say. "Penny plain, twopence coloured."

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: GUEST,chorusgirl
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 07:33 PM

We have both Aldi and Lidl in our town. Everything I've tried is fine. Think there is a lot of snobbery by some people, who would rather pay twice the price than been seen in either of the Stores mentioned. That's up to them of course, but it doesn't bother me and I often get comments on how nice things are they have eaten with me.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 04:55 PM

Phil, there is a Fry's (Electronics) in Arlington on Matlock (right at I-20) that I can get to by autopilot. And the funny thing is, until this opened I always knew of Fry's as a grocery store chain out in Arizona. It's the same company, but has expanded in this seemingly unusual direction from the grocery business.

Our SackNSave is less than a mile from the house. Next to a Dollar General, so I do a lot of my low-end shopping there.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 05:32 PM

The major chains in western Canada all sell reusable good quality shopping bags for 99 cents, or give them away in promotions.
They have store names on them; I seldom match the bag to the store but no one cares.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: JHW
Date: 01 Jan 10 - 03:34 PM

To go back to the start if that's ok Aldi, Lidl and Netto here in UK were all the same relatively small size store selling almost exclusively own brands (Albeit Lidl and Aldi products looking very similar).
In Darlington Netto has now built bigger and Lidl has built slap next door to Aldi double its size but no more stuff. You just have twice as far to walk for your shopping.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: GUEST,Gulliver
Date: 01 Jan 10 - 09:02 PM

I lived close to a small Aldi store when I was studying in Germany and shopped there for years - it was much cheaper than any place else and I don't know how I would have gotten by without it. I now shop regularly in two Aldis in Dublin. Both of them are a little smaller than your average supermarket and I pay less than half of what I'd pay in Tesco, for example (and Tesco has been forced to reduce its prices across the board because of the competition of Aldi and Lidl). A largish-sized Lidl store opened up last week across the road from one of the Aldis, and there is expected to be fierce competition between the two.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: beeliner
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 03:54 AM

In Germany, a 'Mom-and Pop store' is called a "Tante-Emma Laden" ("Aunt Emma store").

There is a postcard, a cartoon of a poor dude walking down the street, schlepping two ugly orange-and blue Aldi bags, both filled to the brim, and across the street, standing in front of a small storefront, is an old battle-ax of a woman, with a scowl on her face and her arms crossed, and the guy is thinking, "Oh mein Gott, Tante Emma".

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 04:42 AM

In Charlottesville Virginia, one day shopping at the Food Lion (Asda for the UKians) I witnessed the meeting of 2 poshly dressed women encountering each other in the dairy section.

"Oh I never shop here." said one in nervous hyper-elevated squeak. "I always shop at the Giant and Fresh Fields" (Waitrose for UKians) replied the other in haughty tone. "I just stopped in for some milk" said the squeaky one. "I needed ricotta for my lasagna" quipped Haughty.

I was not two feet from this conversation and I burst out laughing. They stared at me. They both had semi-full shopping trolleys. I just looked back at them shook my head and continued chuckling as I shopped.

Thanks for reminding me of that incident. I love it when pretension is exposed by and to the pretentious.

Me? I am not too fussy where I shop, though I do despise the local Sainsbury's. It just happens to be nearest where we live. TSO is accustomed to shopping there and he has his Nectar card. To be honest, I wish we could go back to the days of shop specialisms, like baker, butcher, green grocer. Sigh.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 07:03 AM

I have found Aldi to be cheap. And cheap for a reason.

What they sell is perfectly palatable. Choice is limited. If I was buying on taste alone I would not buy much there.

Curiously my nearest does not sell cheap bread. They do sell bread made locally. Good quality but bread does have a short shelf life. Logical.

They don't believe in having too many tills, and usually only have one of them attended during the day. Dunno about rush hour.

My mobile phone doesn't work in there either. Cheap building made of steel, obviously.

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 10:42 AM

Yes, back to the start of the thread,JHW. I was talking to the owner of a Mailbox Plus on the same corner as the Aldi site. She says that the original plan was to use half the supermarket building for Aldi and the other half for a drive-through pharmacy/chemist, but now they are planning to use the whole building for Aldi. They expect to open the store in April.
- Phil

Subject: RE: BS: Aldi Stores
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 06:46 AM

I love Pink Lady Apples. Aldi sells them at near half the price Sainsbury's does and the quality is better. We find we can treat ourselves to special foods like sweet peppers in garlic oil, root vegetable crisps, etc. because they cost less at Aldi. Still we don't go in often, because we tend to buy those things we normally wouldn't.