Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

Aldi's U.S. sales rise as shoppers seek cheaper groceries

Published 09/21/2022, 10:31 AM
Updated 09/21/2022, 01:16 PM
© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: An Aldi superstore is seen in London, Britain, September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: An Aldi superstore is seen in London, Britain, September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo

By Siddharth Cavale

(Reuters) -Aldi's U.S. arm said on Wednesday that same-store sales in the country rose in the double digits over the last 12 months as rampant inflation pushed consumers to find cheaper deals on groceries.

The German-owned discount supermarket chain's U.S. stores sales growth over the past year was driven by 1 million new customers, Scott Patton, Aldi's vice president of National Buying, told a media event. Aldi has seen an increase in middle- and high-income shoppers as well, said Patton, referring to households making $50k-100k per year as middle income.

"Inflation is hitting everyone so when we can be a solution for the grocery portion of that, that's important," he said.

Discount stores such as Aldi and Dollar General Corp (NYSE:DG) tend to perform well during economic turmoils as cash-strapped consumers seek cheaper alternatives.

Dollar General lifted its annual comparable sales forecast last month, encouraged by consumers flocking to its stores for everything from groceries to household supplies.

Higher gas prices have also pushed more Americans to shop at Aldi, usually located in more metropolitan areas, rather than drive to a Walmart (NYSE:WMT) Supercenter which is usually outside of major urban regions.

Aldi attributed some of its success to offering more fresh produce over the last two years, which now makes up for two-thirds of what consumers put into their carts.

By cutting out excess labor such as a butchers in the meat section or produce stackers, refreshing produce seasonally and offering only 120 types of products on average at its U.S. stores, Aldi has the ability to price fruits and vegetable at a 20-40% discount to competitors, Patton said.

Avocados, for example, cost 49 cents each at an Aldi store, compared to 88 cents on Walmart.com and 99 cents on Target (NYSE:TGT).com, a Reuters review of prices showed.

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: An Aldi superstore is seen in London, Britain, September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo

Aldi also said on Wednesday it started testing a new "shoppable" website with a small group earlier this week, with a plan to launch nationally soon.

The U.S. website, which would allow people to see prices, compare products as well as available delivery and curbside pickup options, would be the first time the Aldi Group would offer a website from which you can shop, Patton said.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.