Five Things You Should Know About Aldi
There's a lot to love about aldi.aldi The discount grocery chain offers a great selection of food at prices that are often significantly less than you'd find at most major supermarkets. The chain is also focusing on sustainable practices and supporting local farmers.
But if you're new to shopping at aldi, you may be wondering what sets it apart from your typical grocery store.aldi Here are five things you should know before you make your first trip to the store.
1.aldi The chain doesn't charge suppliers for shelf space.
In a world where retailers are increasingly trying to nickel and dime consumers, aldi is going the opposite direction. The company focuses on volume purchasing, meaning that it buys more of the same item at a time, which in turn keeps costs low. In addition, the stores only accept products that have been produced within a certain radius of the store, which helps keep local economies strong. Additionally, aldi keeps its store inventory to a minimum and keeps most items in their original packaging, which further cuts down on the number of goods it needs to stock.
2. The store doesn't sell name-brand items.
Most people assume that when they shop at aldi, they'll find tons of name-brand products, but the truth is quite the opposite. In fact, the majority of the products sold at aldi are private label. This allows the company to skip the middleman and offer consumers a more affordable product. The few name-brand items that do appear on shelves tend to be discontinued or overstock products.
3. The stores use data to optimize store layouts and product offerings.
Unlike most major supermarkets, which spend millions on merchandising and advertising, aldi relies on data to determine what types of products will sell well in its stores. The chain also uses the information to improve store layouts and provide a more personalized customer experience. For example, if data indicates that customers are interested in organic foods, the company will increase its supply of those products.
4. The stores don't hire roving customer assistants.
Aldi doesn't employ a team of employees who run around bringing carts back to the parking lot after every shopping trip, a practice that can add up to a significant amount of overtime pay per year. Instead, the chain expects its customers to return their own carts. In addition, it charges shoppers a quarter to rent a cart, which provides an incentive to return the vehicle when they're done with it.
5. The stores are very clean and well-organized.
Aldi prides itself on being a high-quality grocer that doesn't skimp on quality when it comes to the cleanliness of its stores and the products it sells. The company's focus on keeping its costs low is also evident in the way that it treats its employees. A press release from the company last week announced that more than 70% of the store managers and 30% of assistant store managers started as store associates, and all senior management began their careers in one of the chain's stores. In addition, all workers receive healthcare insurance and paid time off.