The Valid Reason Some Shoppers Avoid Aldi

Nobody's saying Aldi isn't great. With more than 12,000 stores across the world and millions of daily shoppers, it kind of has to be. Now, if you've never paid a visit to an Aldi grocery store (maybe because it hasn't made its way to your country yet), here's what you need to know before your first trip. But the essential thing is, this global supermarket giant is convenient, offers some high-quality products, and is a friend to your wallet. As a matter of fact, data shows it can save you about 25% compared to what you'd spend elsewhere.

With that in mind, Aldi isn't everyone's go-to store. As it turns out, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, the majority of U.S. citizens would rather do their grocery shopping at Publix, Trader Joe's, or Wegmans instead, with Aldi coming in at seventh place on the list. While there are several reasons people avoid shopping at Aldi, there's one issue that particularly stands out — and that's the limited supply of options on the shelves. 

Aldi stores are typically smaller than most supermarkets and each store displays its goods in their shipping boxes. This method significantly reduces the space available for more products. Additionally, the chain doesn't sell many popular name brands. While other supermarkets might stock up to 10 different options for something as simple as ketchup, Aldi offers just two ketchup varieties, both under its private-label lines, Burman's and Simply Nature. Yet another reason for their limited selection is that the store buys its products directly from the producers, instead of relying on traditional intermediaries.

Despite being the cheapest grocery store in America on average, that's still not quite enough to keep every single customer fully satisfied. And frankly, it's easy to see why. Customers hoping to buy particular branded items they're loyal to might not find them on Aldi's shelves. Of course, you might come across a few familiar brands like Coca-Cola or Cheerios, but the moment you try searching for popular ones like Heinz ketchup or Philadelphia cream cheese, you'll likely walk away disappointed. Instead, you'd have to make a second trip to a different store just to grab what's missing — and if we're being honest, today's busy work routines rarely leave time for that. 

In addition, because fresh produce is often low in stock, it can be difficult to find specific items when you need them. Hence, if you're planning to make some vegetable-heavy dishes like a delicious, hearty ratatouille or a homemade vegetable lasagna loaded with fresh eggplants, spinach, and ripe tomatoes, Aldi might not be your most reliable shopping choice. Furthermore, some customers have complained that the fresh produce at Aldi often spoils faster, which only adds to the frustration and makes buyers reconsider whether to shop there. Ultimately, if low prices are your priority and you're not too attached to specific brands, Aldi is a solid grocery shopping choice. If that's not the case, either commit to shopping at two different stores or come to terms with paying extra to buy your groceries from a larger supermarket.