Aldi

Aldi is a global discount supermarket chain with origins dating back to 1913, when Anna Albrecht opened a small grocery store in Essen, Germany. In 1946, her sons Karl and Theo Albrecht took over the family business, expanding the operation under a model focused on essential goods and low prices. The company officially split into two separate legal and financial entities in 1961 due to a disagreement between the brothers regarding the sale of tobacco products. This led to the formation of Aldi Nord, headquartered in Essen, and Aldi Süd, headquartered in Mülheim an der Ruhr. Despite the split, both entities began using the shortened name "Aldi" - derived from Albrecht Diskont - in 1962 and continued to coordinate certain activities, such as store brands and negotiations. Historically, Aldi has maintained a reclusive and secretive management style, particularly following the kidnapping of Theo Albrecht in 1971. In the United States, Aldi Süd operates under the Aldi name while Aldi Nord owns and operates the Trader Joe's brand. In 2025, the company announced a large-scale packaging refresh to modernize its private label portfolio, placing the Aldi name and an "ALDI Original" endorsement on over 90% of its products.

Business/Product Breakdown

Aldi operates a no-frills discount retail model characterized by high operational efficiency and a limited assortment strategy. The company stocks significantly fewer items than traditional supermarkets, focusing primarily on highly demanded products and private labels that comprise approximately 90% of its inventory. This streamlined selection enables simpler logistics, faster inventory turnover, and lower overhead. Stores are typically designed with a self-service layout where products are displayed in their original shipping boxes to minimize labor costs. Customers are encouraged to provide their own bags and manage their own carts through a deposit system to further reduce expenses.

The product range encompasses essential groceries, including fresh produce, dairy, meat, bakery goods, and frozen foods, alongside a rotating selection of non-food special buys. Many of these items are sourced through long-term partnerships with manufacturers and regional suppliers. In addition to physical retail, Aldi has expanded into digital services in select markets, offering online ordering, curbside pickup, and home delivery. Some regional divisions provide supplementary services such as travel bookings, mobile telephone plans, photo services, and internet streaming. The company relies on cost leadership, strategic real estate ownership, and minimal traditional advertising to maintain its pricing structure.

Note: This profile combined Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd for the convenience of financial reporting although Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd are separate companies.