Way back in 2013, I shared more about why I did NOT shop at our local Aldi grocery store — despite the fact that their prices were significantly cheaper.
At the time, the only Aldi store close to us was very small, very dirty, very cramped, and their produce was consistently bad (not cool for someone who buys as much produce as I do!)
However, 4 years later (December of 2017) a brand new, extremely nice, super spacious Aldi store opened up less than 10 miles from us!
I immediately started shopping at that store and began enjoying the savings in both time AND money (read more about my Aldi shopping experiment here!)
Since then, ANOTHER Aldi store popped up even closer to our house… and there’s a rumor a 3rd new Aldi store is in the plans for 2020 (less than 2 miles from our house!)
Craziness!!
For the last 2 years, I’ve done the vast majority of my grocery shopping at Aldi; purchasing only a few “extras” at Meijer and Costco each month.
Honestly, I’m a HUGE Aldi fan!
And that’s big for me to say — considering I refused to shop there for a solid 10 years!
I love their brands, I love that they have limited options, I love how small their store is compared to Meijer, I love how fast I can get in and out, and I love that I save money!
My grocery spending actually went DOWN in 2018 and 2019 — even though we added another child to our family, our other children ate more, we entertained more, and we’re eating SO MUCH PRODUCE!
HOWEVER… I feel like I’ve recently noticed a price jump on several Aldi items over the past couple of months.
Anyone else?
Over the past month, I’ve purchased the majority of my groceries at Meijer because their prices were actually cheaper than Aldi’s prices for so many of the things I regularly buy.
- strawberries
- raspberries
- blackberries
- peppers
- beans
- lettuce/spinach
- yogurt
- cheese
- cauliflower rice
- and more
I mentioned this to a friend (who does not live near me) and she said she noticed the exact same thing by her.
I took a quick glance at my grocery spending over the past month — and it is, in fact, more than what I spent in previous months (even taking holiday baking/cooking into consideration).
So… I’m wondering if any of you have noticed a price jump at your local Aldi stores?
I did some digging around on the internet but haven’t found any conclusive evidence that Aldi is in fact raising prices across the board (at least nothing published online yet — but Aldi tends to be very private with this type of information).
Honestly, I sill love Aldi and I’ll definitely still shop there, simply because I like their brands and the fact that it’s such an efficient system (I can get in and out in less than 30 minutes with children!)
However, I’m curious to know if others have noticed an Aldi price jump, or if it’s just me!?
Also, what are your favorite things about shopping at Aldi?
NOTE: here’s a great price comparison between Aldi and Walmart, and here’s a comparison between Aldi, Kroger, and Meijer.
Dana Williams says
I think instead of saying town you live in? Put in zip code like you to to get the weekly ads and Aldi’s “Finds.” Much easier to compare prices. $1.99 for REAL BUTTER? NEVER unless on sale and I still think over $2.00.
I just bought eggs $1.09 a dozen. $1.39 at Kroger. Michael Moore fan. I do NOT shop Wal-Mart.
46176
Erik says
Yep, here in SE Michigan have noticed quite a bit. Cereals, pretzels, chips, other snacks things. Many .89 to 1.29!
Sherman says
Yes in October 2019 I noticed a steep increase in certain items. Such as butter. A slight increase in other items. I was told that prices would go back down before the holidays. They are close to my home. Still cheaper than Walmart on most items I buy. Thier meat prices have always been higher unless there is a sale. I guess it is a sign of how our economy is doing or not doing.
Ruth dunsey says
I’ve noticed significant price increase over the last 6 to 8 months. Also aldi 10 miles away prices are better. My friend and I compare every week. Less affluent area. Bottom line. I’m spending less time and money there. Pays to shop around now. Walmart & local grocery stores. Once was my go to store. Sad to say. No more!
Ron says
I love ALDI for prices, fresh fruit, produce. It ends there. They are horrible about check out. They wait till there is 6 people in line and then you wait a good 5 minutes till the person gets there. You can go thru the store in 10 minutes and spend more tome in line waiting to check out.
Bobbi says
The past few weeks I have been in Aldi’s, the bananas are all brown and bruised, and veggies aren’t as fresh as they were.
The young girl filling up the bags of onions was tossing them on top of the pile. Maybe that’s why the apples are always bruised.
A few times, there are rotten and moldy items that should be taken off the rack and tossed in the trash.
This is the new Aldi’s, and I think they have gone down hill. Too bad, because I really liked the store before.
I have been going to Walmart for better quality veggies, and all my shopping because I don’t want to make two trips .
Loraine France says
I have noticed a small but not impacting price increase in their yogurts and in some frozen vegetables. I like many have commented love the convenience of getting in & out quickly.
Judy says
The prices have gone up. One item I buy went from 1.69 to 2.29. Happened after remodeling all the stores in my area.
Marcia says
My prices went up quite a bit, too. I live in Troy, MO.
S. Fornuto says
I haven’t really noticed a change in pricing; have only had a local Aldi for less than one year. I shop their meat sales, and buy some gluten free items, which are always more expensive. What I have noticed is weird additives, mostly in the dairy items. Stabilizers, gums, preservatives, cellulose, modified food starch, maltodextrin, … And, when they have a special item, it sells out completely, the morning the sale starts! I rush over after work on day one, only to find “they only sent two cases, and we sold out before noon”. Also, a lot of the non-food items seem to be made out of crapulite, and don’t last. Peeling cutting boards, etc. Not especially impressed, now that we have one nearby.
Susan M Sinkowski says
Andrea these price increases are due to Trump’s tariffs.
Sandra says
Yes they are this is not the only store there will be more
Anne says
Yes I have noticed significant uptake in prices. Suburban KcMo. It seems like after they remodel the store the prices go up.
Megan says
I’ve noticed that too. I used to go in and spend $85 a week for two adults and a toddler. We have two little kids now, but it’s jumped to $125 a week! It’s winter now, so I think part of it is that produce is more expensive, but everything has gone up a little bit. I’ve noticed that Walmart is cheaper on a few things and comparable on most items, but Aldi still saves me money because I don’t buy things I don’t need. I go in, get what I need, and get out. I could wander around Walmart for an hour picking up things I don’t really need.
John says
Yes I have notice a price increase. For example a package of cookies where .95 cents, now 1.49. Still less expensive than other markets.
Kimmy says
Yes! I noticed recently that egg price has increased almost double!! Other items like bread, milk, cheese are also increased like 10-20 cents.
Melissa Compton says
Prices went up after the remodel of both of our Aldi stores.
Melissa says
Yes! Clancy’s chips, for example, used to be, I think $0.89 and now are $1.09 at my store. Butter is $2.99, that’s the same as Wal-Mart. Milk is usually $0.01 cheaper than Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart has really stepped up their game on their prices. I like the size of ALDI and I enjoy the aisle of shame but sometimes it’s easier to just go to Wal-Mart and get it all done at once. We’ve done several blind “taste tests” in our house also, with ALDI vs Great Value and I can’t think of an instance where the kids said ALDI was better or Great Value. They’re basically the same product.
Kristen @ Joyfully Thriving says
Oh, it’s definitely true! I noticed the increase this summer and did a massive price comparison of 178 items (on my blog) between Aldi, Walmart, Meijer and Kroger. I was shocked to discover that Walmart had the best prices and Meijer the worst! It completely changed the way I shopped, but I am getting more groceries again with the same budget. Is Walmart my favorite store? No. Do I miss Aldi? Yes. But, is the money I am saving worth it? Yes, yes, yes!
Mary Cassandra says
Yes I noticed that too,Every week something is higher,I love ALDIs but I can’t buy all the food I bought when they first opened,I wish the prices were the same again,We love the Squash’s and now can’t afford them ,Mary Cassandra ,Greenville,South Carolina
Andrea says
interesting! I’ve honestly never shopped at Walmart ever and I don’t think I’ll start any time soon (but still something to think about!)
Suzy says
Just maybe 3 yrs ago, I used to pack a cart there until I could barely push it and I clearly remember having a hard time spending over $150 because it was never more then that, I couldn’t fit more in the cart! Couple weeks ago I filled my cart but it was just barely filled to where nothing was sticking up over the edge or even on the bottom of the cart and my total was $199. I’m in SE MI and have noticed the price increase even before the new stores appeared near me.
Andrea says
wow — that’s a BIG price difference 🙁
Jim branski sr. says
Yes Aldi has raised prices.Here are just a few Tuna was 68 now 79 cat litter was $3.99 now $4.79 .However Aldi is still less expensive than anybody else .
Andrea says
wow — that’s almost a 20% increase on the cat litter!
Amanda Jayne says
I always shop at Aldi, and lately I have noticed that different stores have higher prices! For example, my normal Aldi has sandwich bread at $.95-the Aldi on the other side of town has the exact same bread for $1.35. That’s a huge percentage difference! I wonder if all the stores are in the process of marking up? Or is it really just the different areas?
(For reference, I’m in the Lansing, Mi area. I have a friend who has noticed the same thing in the Ann Arbor area.)
Brandette says
Yes, I have noticed the same. We live in the midwest (not MI like you). I have been a consistent Aldi shopper for all my basics and produce. But I would say over the last 6-12 mo prices have gone up. Since most of my shopping is fresh produce there, I definitely know it’s in this area. I think a big reason is they used to sell things like grapes, etc by a set price and would often put them on sale for say .99 per lb with each package containing a lb. They have now changed their pricing structure, all of these type of items are now being charged per lb with packages varying in weight. I don’t like it nearly as much this way, with the old model I knew exactly what I was spending because each bag of grapes was .99 or whatever. Now things ring up much more if you aren’t careful.
But, I have noticed that Walmart’s prices are now very comparable to Aldi when they didn’t use to be. Often they are only 1-2 cents different, which isn’t enough to warrant me shopping at 2 stores when I can just run into Walmart and be done.
I do still go to Aldi, but I am very careful with what I buy now. We recently had boneless chicken breasts for $1.49 lb, that is absolutely unheard of in our area. So you can still get some great deals there, just have to scrutinize more.
Chris says
I signed up for your emails because I love your blog but I see it is still on the internet without needing an email. Am I missing something?
Andrea says
Hey Chris — yay for being on the email list!
I’ll be phasing out my online blog posts over the next couple of weeks… and eventually just posting around 2 times per week. I will notify email subscribers whenever I post on the blog, but you will also get additional content on the days I do not post on the blog (like tomorrow morning!)
Chris says
Thank you!
Blondie says
We buy all our groceries from Aldi except for meat, fish, protein powder, Diet Coke, Quaker Oatmeal Squares, and a few Trader Joe’s items. Tons of produce, decent amount of dairy, frozen veggies, breads, and dry goods. We have not noticed any increase in our bills, but we do shop an unremodeled Aldi in Detroit.
I did start buying my granny Smith apples from Kroger, and my MIL switched to Kroger for milk, but those are quality issues, not cost savings.
Lori says
I shopped for veggies, beans and some chips and cookies, but then the chips doubled in price and the “fig newtons “ rose higher so I started noticing that I can shop Kroger for about the same price so I save myself time and sadly just quit shopping there.
Andrea says
I did notice the chip price increase too!
Linda says
I am so glad you posted this. I just recently started shopping at Aldi a few months ago. I was shocked at the butter price before Christmas, $1.99 and, for buttermilk it was 1\2 gal for $ 1.59. Last week butter was $2.90. Buttermilk is seasonal I found out. So yes, I saw prices go up and I refused to purchase! What I don’t like as a consumer is using two different stores. However, I felt like I was saving money for our family. I will continue to shop Aldi for a few more months but I may just go back to Meijer for all of my groceries.
Andrea says
yes — the butter! SO expensive now!
Amanda says
I have been getting most of my groceries from aldi between 6 and 7 years. Our aldi recently remodeled, after that I noticed prices had increased on quite a few things. Since the birth of our last baby I’ve done more shopping at Walmart and have been so shocked to find they have lower prices on quite a few items! It makes me sad because I really like aldi but I’m a bargain shopper so I’m not sure what I will do. If they see a decrease in the number of shoppers maybe their prices will go back down.;) (wishful thinking)
Kim says
I live in haters ferry WV. I noticed the price jump as soon as the remodeled our local store. I noticed then went to a different aldi in Martinsburg that had not yet been remodeled then and their prices were different.
Andrea says
interesting — maybe the newest stores are charging more! I guess I’d rather pay a bit more to shop in a nicer store with more quality items, but still very interesting!
Kelsey says
I normally bought my milks, eggs, fruits & veggies, chicken, ground beef, porkchops. Went early one morning cause we ran out of milk the night before and was prepared to sit in parking lot for 30 min until they opened (at 9 a.m.). Hubby said just go to walmart across the street. I checked prices and Aldi’s milk is $2.75 while Walmarts is $2.25. I was home by 8:50 a.m. I’ve noticed I can buy the 18 count eggs cheaper at Walmart than at Aldi’s now. So frustrating. I understand rising prices due to cost of living etc., but when it seems that they are raising their prices faster and more than Walmart, I tend to back away.
Andrea says
that’s funny — totally the type of conversation Dave and I would have too. I would be complaining about wasting 30 minutes waiting and Dave would talk some sense into me and say, “why not just pay 5 extra cents and go to Meijer 🙂
Glad you found it cheaper at Walmart anyway!
Amie says
I live in Columbus OH and Aldi has opened or remodeled several stores in the last 3 years all within 15 miles of my home. The newer stores are cleaner and nicer which I love. I’ve shopped at Aldi for the last 15 years and will continue to shop there and probably will continue to for certain things. But overall their prices have gotten higher. Our family loves cold cereal and Aldi used to be where I would stock up. But not anymore! With sales prices at Meijer, Kroger and Target they are much cheaper.
I’m so glad you wrote this post. I’ve been mentioning Aldi price increases to family and friends and they hadn’t noticed.
I recently heard another blogger mention the increase of Aldi prices on her Instagram stories and was glad someone was saying something!
Aldi is still a great place to shop! I’ve just had to change my grocery saving strategies!
Andrea says
Yeah, I’ll continue to shop there — it’s just eye-opening and I’m wondering if prices will continue to rise!
Donna Golod says
I have found that prices vary depending on the neighborhood..price increases I noticed are English muffins was 99 and now1.15. Sour cream was89, now1.15. But I still love Aldis!I did have a return and was agog ! Double return didn’t even require receipt! Refund was given on a gift card..who does that?
Andrea says
They’ve definitely gone up here! I started shopping at Aldi about six years ago or so. I would consistently spend about $75 a week, give or take, there for years. A few months ago I noticed my bill is usually $100 or more, despite buying roughly the same stuff. So I actually switched to doing most of my grocery shopping at Walmart, because the prices are comparable and we now have the curbside service where I can order online and they bring it to the car. I save so much time and trouble each week (taking 4 kids grocery shopping is not my idea of a good time). I probably save money, too, because there are no impulse purchases :). I still go to Aldi once a month to stock up on a few things that we especially like or I know are cheaper.
On a side note, I am so jealous of everyone else’s milk prices! Here in PA, a gallon of 2% is $3.89 if I remember correctly.
Andrea says
That’s EXACTLY what happened to me — we usually spent around $70-$80 and now it’s almost always over $100.
And yes, we have good milk prices here!
Rhonda Laird says
I live in Indiana, about 20 miles from Muncie. The Aldi’s there has a dozen large eggs for.29, 2%milk.89 and a loaf of wheat bread is .99. I can’t say the prices have gone up much.
Leah says
Yes, I’ve noticed the same thing! I wonder if it’s partly because of all of the new stores that Aldi is putting up. Meijer’s prices have been very competitive lately, and unless I have a long list of basics at Aldi, I just go to Meijer for everything. That saves a lot of time for me.
Lori says
I love shopping at Aldi and have been loyal to them for over 15 years – took me about 6 months to convince my husband that it was cheaper than Meijer, but better than Save-A-lot! I really don’t think about the price of something, I buy what I like to eat,& the quality of the product and in many cases the Aldi brand is superior to the store brand or national brand, while being less expensive.
I think the price increase is related to the seasons as well as where the product is coming from. More produce is shipped from the warmer states this time of year – so it will be a little more. Also, I’ve noticed that Eggs and Milk are typically purchased from local farms, vs shipping from another state, so we pay based on what Aldi pays. I’m really ok with that. As far a prices from one town to another – it’s just like gas. I can drive from NW Grand Rapids to Holland and the gas will be different. I can also drive two blocks and see the same thing – different prices. It’s the nature of the beast. Some companies depend on “brand loyalty” Sometimes, you have to do what you have to do to save money, and i get that when you have a family to feed and a budget to keep. I was a single parent when my kids where in school, so i know and understand the value of “a penny saved is a penny earned” I still like to save money, but i also like to get the “biggest bag for my buck”. It helps that i love Aldi and their brands and the fact that i don’t have to spend time trying decide which brand I’m going to get and how much value I’m getting. Besides what other store offers “double” your money back?
It’s kind of like in the 70’s when they introduced the true generic brands (black & white boxes – dating myself here!) before there was a :store brand – it took people forever to accept that they were just as good if not better while providing a savings.
I still love Aldi and even if the prices end up being the same as the Meijer – I’ll still save money, because I’m not distracted by all the other stuff I sometimes think I need that are at those big stores!
Jerry says
yes I agree with you you got to look past some things to understand it
Jennifer Pikaart says
I only occasionally shop at Aldi because I work at Meijer. You and I live in close proximity to each other and I just wondered if you know where the new Aldi is going in less than 2 miles from your house? I had not heard of that especially since the Jenison store is so close.
Andrea says
They said in the Hudsonville area — near the new meijer 🙂
Sue says
I have noticed this also. I have also noticed that if you shop at an Aldi in a lower income area, the prices are better. We are in a ” Nicer” area, and they put in an ALDI in, but if you go several towns over there is at least 10-15% cheaper price difference from the ALDI in my town to the next
.
Sue in NJ
Elizabeth Dilts says
Yes I was Going to say exactly this! We have SIX in our town and surrounding small towns, and the ones in lower income areas are not as nice but definitely cheaper.
Andrea says
wow — that’s A LOT of Aldi stores!
Andrea says
yeah, I can believe it. the Aldi Dave shopped at in college was in a really bad neighborhood and the prices were much cheaper!
Dana McGowen says
It looks like mostly produce. I shop a few different stores and they all increase produce prices in the winter. Every year. Spring and summer have much lower prices for berries and such.
Andrea says
yes, all produce is more expensive in the winter — but our Aldi stores are actually MORE expensive than other stores — which is almost never he case!
Brenda says
Check out the new stores. What I have noticed in my area (Kalamazoo, so just a little south of you) is that all Aldi’s have different prices on perishables, especially milk/eggs/dairy. I believe that they also react to the stores in their immediate location as well. For example, Milk has gone up at Aldi, but also at Meijer. (Aldi brand and the Penny Smart at Meijer are both over $2/gallon when they used to be just over $1 a few months ago.) My Father-in-law lives closer to you and his prices at Aldi are always different then ours. I haven’t noticed this with canned goods as much, just the items that people notice the prices of: milk, eggs, cheese, strawberries, etc.
When the new Aldi’s open you will probably notice the other Walmart/Meijer/Targets nearby will lower prices on Milk/eggs and a small price war will start. This usually lasts for a few months-year, depending on which company is “winning the war.” (Can you tell I’ve worked in grocery stores for most of my working life, haha)
Andrea says
Yes, I’ve already noticed lower milk and egg prices at the Mejier stores closer to Aldi — interesting!
Holly Sanford says
Several stores near my neighborhood have closed in the last two years so I decided to try our Aldi’s recently. I’ve just been buying a few items at a time to see if we like them and except for one item I’ve been extremely pleased. I am a big fan of Hawaiian rolls and Aldi’s are just as good and more than half off the price of the name brand ones. I did notice they had jumped 20 cents in price this week though. And milk, although cheap at Aldi’s is even cheaper at my Target store.
Andrea says
yes, their Hawaiian rolls are CRAZY CHEAP!
Sandy says
I haven’t pulled out old receipts to compare, but would say I feel some items have gone up and some have dropped. Chocolate chips for example were higher in price for a while but have dropped again, maybe just for the holiday baking season? Prices are probably rising at other stores too, I would guess and economy driven. Even if prices have jumped a bit, Aldi is still consistently cheaper on pretty much anything I purchase there and eliminated my need to use coupons and such. Another time saver, in my opinion. Rarely is Meijer’s sale price cheaper than Aldi which eliminates my urge to “stock up” while on sale. No need to do that if you know you are always getting items at the cheapest price. I shop the same new location as you and LOVE it!!
Andrea says
Yes, there are many other “selling points” for Aldi over Meijer — namly the no coupons, no sales, quick checkouts, limited options and choices, etc.!
Elizabeth says
I’ve been shopping at Aldi’s for a couple of years and haven’t noticed an increase. Strawberries and blueberries are higher right now but it’s the same at our other grocery stores (seasonal produce varies quite considerably throughout the year where I live). I know that Aldi’s sources their produce from local farms so it could be a regional issue.
Andrea says
yes, some are seasonal prices increases, and maybe regional too.
Kim says
I have about 20 items I regularly purchase from Aldi. I was just there and was sad to see that one of my regular items had jumped in price. However, there are a lot of items that have stayed the same for years. Overall, I do really appreciate the store. How I wish this store had been around when our girls were at home.
One really has to examine the bags of apples and oranges. My inattentiveness has caused me an extra trip back to exchange.
Andrea says
Bummer! And yes, always examine/feel the bags of apples, oranges (and potatoes!)
Jennifer says
We shop at Aldi probably once a month to get baby pouches and a few other staples which are much cheaper, but like you we consume a ton of produce and our local Aldi doesn’t usually have the best quality produce or prices so it’s not worth it to shop there regularly for me. I did notice last time we were there the staples we normally buy were more expensive. Actually I’ve been getting the best prices on produce at Whole Foods lately. They have special sales for amazon prime members so if you shop the sales they have amazing prices. For example last week they had organic Fuji apples for $1.49/lb. We buy our meat from Costco or butcher box if they’re having a good sale. Most of Our shopping is divided between Costco and Whole Foods.
Andrea says
Our Aldi actually has pretty good produce, they are just getting expensive. Last week, almost all produce was quite a bit cheaper at Meijer — this week too!