Mommysavers Hits ALDI Headquarters: Taste-Testing, Wine, Interesting Facts and FUN!

mommysavers.com has been a fan of saving money on groceries at ALDI for a long time.  So when our forum manager Shell recently had the opportunity to visit their company headquarters in Batavia, IL she jumped at the chance!  Shell was among a select group of bloggers who got to preview some of the new aldi holiday products as well as taste-test their wine (I'm jealous!).

Shell put together a series of forum posts on her experiences at ALDI that will interest anyone who has ever shopped there – and may entice new shoppers to give it a try!   Click on the links below to read more about what she saw, what she learned, and see her great pictures!

Interesting Facts about ALDI

If you've been in an ALDI store you know it is pretty simple: no muss no fuss. But have you been in more than one? Did you notice it is laid out to look exactly like the others? This is no accident. The average ALDI store is 10,000 square feet. That's it. That's all they need. They have few (energy efficient) refrigerators and freezers and almost no shelving. This keeps costs very low.

A new ALDI store will also have high ceilings (with almost a warehouse feel) and even newer stores will have tons of natural light thanks to a large row of windows over the first aisle and huge front windows.

Read more ALDI interesting facts  including where their products are manufactured, and how Special Buys are sourced.

Wine… at ALDI?!

That's right!  In certain states, you can pick up a bottle of wine at ALDI for as little as $4.99.  Not only is it priced affordably, their wine is award-winning. The ALDI-brand Landshut Riesling Mosel won the 2010 World Value Wine challenge (Top 10 White Wine $8 and under Exceptional Value) and a silver medal in 2009 World Wine Championship.

Read more about what Shell discovered about Wine at ALDI and what she decided after the taste-test.

Fruits, Veggies and Fresh produce at ALDI

One of the major draws to ALDI is their extremely affordable fresh produce.  How do they do it?  The answer is simple: they buy local whenever possible. All ALDI produce is handled divisionally, not by corporate. What does this mean for us, the consumers? It means our produce is coming from local farms.   It is delivered divisionally DAILY and at your store the NEXT day.  Not on a truck for three days waiting to get to your store.

Read more about ALDI produce and the new “MyPlate” program.

Switch and Save

If you've been to an ALDI store lately, you have surely seen all the “Switch & Save” signs and promotions. But what does it mean exactly?  In simplest terms it means switch to the ALDI-exclusive brands and save money.

One of the fun things Shell got to do at ALDI headquarters was participate in blind taste tests: An ALDI product vs. a name brand.  Participants weren't told what was what, just to choose which one they liked best based on the look of the product, the taste, and even the texture.

See what other ALDI foods Shell got to taste-test and read about what she thought!

ALDI Double Guarantee

Do you know about the ALDI DOUBLE Guarantee?  Here it is:

Quality, taste and satisfaction are always DOUBLE guaranteed at ALDI. If for any reason, you are not 100% satisfied with any product, we will gladly replace the product AND refund your money. Simply return the item to your nearest ALDI store.

*Non-food Special Buy items and alcohol not included

This means you have absolutely nothing to lose by trying Aldi's products.  Not only will they replace your product — they ALSO give you your money back if it's not to your liking. The company really stands behind its products!  More on the ALDI Double Guarantee