how does lidl compare to aldi

The Real Difference Between Aldi And Lidl

Today gives us a rundown of the major differences between the two German discount grocery chains that might make you reconsider which one you prefer to shop at. They state that Lidl stores are usually between 14,000 and 21,000 square feet, making them decently larger than Aldi stores which are usually around 10,000 square feet. This extra space allows them to stock more than twice the amount of products at any given location than Aldi is able to carry. While both chains are beloved for their private label items, Lidl considers themselves an international grocery store and offers many products popular in other countries like cured meats from Spain and German chocolate. Lidl sells more name brand items too, which Aldi is notoriously averse to carrying.

If these differences are causing you to consider switching your allegiance from Aldi to Lidl, we may have some bad news for you. Today reports that there were only around 100 Lidl stores in the United States as of June 2020. With Aldi having almost 2,000 locations nationwide, it's likely that shopping at Aldi is going to be much more convenient than competitor Lidl.

Lidl vs Aldi: What is Cheaper For Americans?

Aldi vs Lidl - Which Store to Choose?

Below are the six main categories you should consider when evaluating which location you want to choose for your new favorite grocery destination:

Prices

Both of these stores are obviously known for their amazing prices. But which is cheaper? The answer is that it honestly depends. When you compare Aldi and Lidl prices, most people agree that in general, Lidl is generally cheaper on average per trip. This is because even though Lidls prices on staple goods are slightly more expensive, their prices on non-staple goods are cheaper. If you are only shopping for staple items though, or make a conscious effort to bargain hunt, Aldi will be cheaper. This is especially true for Aldis house brand products since they make up the majority of the store.

Products

Quality and Taste - The product quality of both of these stores is not large enough for everyday people to notice a difference. The only noticeable difference may be in bread since Lidl has a bakery. This is discussed in greater detail later. That being said, Aldis bread is still always fresh and of high quality. You just will not get to watch it come out of the oven.

Because Aldi primarily sells house brands, these are the stores most popular products. By manufacturing most of what they sell, Aldi is hands-down better at quality control in general. Their most popular products are ones they make themselves, such as SimplyNature. An extensive list of their most popular product brands can be found in one of the following sections.

Store Locations and Working Hours

There are roughly 1,600 brick and mortar locations of Aldi in the United States and only 94 Lidls. Both have free parking. Lidl is usually open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aldi is usually open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Customer Service

You bag your own groceries at both of these stores. Lidl is more convenient because cashiers have two conveyor belts to keep your items separate from the items of the person behind you. You wont have to move your items to bag them, unlike at Aldi.

Delivery

Aldi is currently partnered with Instacart to provide delivery for its customers, whereas Lidl uses Shipt. Both platforms are easy to access and navigate for both people interested in ordering and getting paid to deliver. Delivery costs are also essentially the same ($8-9/month), so this is not really something to consider when trying to decide where to shop. Delivery is not available 24/7 since neither of these stores is open 24/7. That being said, as long as you order while the store is still open, both platforms can provide you with same-day delivery. Remember to tip your delivery workers if they do a good job!

Discount and Sales

Like all grocery stores, both of these options have discounts and sales. The best place to find them is in the stores weekly flyers and circular. If you dont have time to go discount hunting, then no worries. You can easily access both the weekly Lidl flyer on Rabato. Along with weekly Aldi ad, there are also leaflets from many of your other favorite retailers that are updated on Rabato regularly to ensure that you are always viewing the most recent deals. Bookmark the flyers on your computers homepage so that you never forget to check them before shopping!

Aldi vs Lidl What Are the Major Differences Between Them?

If you are happy as long as you are shopping on a budget, then the truth is that you would probably be happy with either of these stores. However, there are some minor differences that might make or break an option for pickier shoppers. One big difference between Aldi and Lidl is their respective sizes. Lidl stores are inherently bigger than its competitor. While some may enjoy the larger aisles and bigger selection, others may not like how it increases shopping time.

Another difference is that Lidl supermarkets have a bakery, whereas Aldi just has a section in stores dedicated to bread. That being said, Aldi bread is always very fresh, and they do carry a lot of variety. Some just would prefer to purchase their bread straight from its baking source. Because Aldi is smaller though and has a very unique supply chain, it does have the leg up in some scenarios. It has a fun seasonal section in which its products are always changing.

Another obvious difference is that when you stroll through the aisles of Aldi, you will find a ton of house brands. Here are some of their most popular ones:

• SimplyNature;
• Fit & Active;
• Specially Selected;
• Mama Cozzis;
• liveGfree;
• And more!

While Lidl does have some of its own brands, such as Oaklands and Newgate, they carry many more products manufactured out-of-house. Therefore, if you are looking for the brands you would find in other non-discounts supermarkets, youd be more likely to find them at Lidl. This difference in brand-makeup is one of the most noticeable differences, especially for children. If you have a hard time getting your kids to eat off-brand food, then Lidl is a better choice. If youre shopping for adults who dont care about the brand of their food though, you wont mind Aldi.

Because these two companies have similar aesthetics and values, many people assume that they are sibling companies. This is not the case, however. In no way, shape, or form are these companies related or owned by the same people. They are both family-owned and their respective families are not connected. Some people may get confused because Aldi is technically split into two different companies. Aldi Nord, which is owned by Trader Joe's, and Aldi Sd, which is just Aldi. The company was founded in Essen, Germany, and split into two in 1960. Today, it is 11,234 stores strong.

Lidl was founded by a man named Josef Schwarz in Neckarsulm, Germany. Though the company started as primarily a place to purchase wholesale fruit, it eventually evolved into the food behemoth it is to date. It is worth several billion dollars, but it much more integrated into Europes market than Americas. The company did mimick Aldis pass on the savings to the customer model, and so the two have similar elements. The stores even look the same, with large boxes sitting directly on the shelves rather than individual packages.

Lidl and Aldi are competitors with similar business models and products, just like Wendys and McDonalds. Just like these fast food restaurants, you can favor Lidl or Aldi because of their prices, layout, service, and selections. Because Aldi came to the U.S. in 1976, you are probably much more familiar with this company. Lidl did not cross the sea and arrive on American land until 2017. By this point in time, its competitor had already taken over much of its cheap niche market. Americans are more likely to view Aldi as integrated into society than its counterpart.

Conclusion

Statistically speaking, if you live in America, you are likely further from Aldi than you are Lidl. It will take you less time and gas to reach your nearest Aldi making it an obvious choice. If you have both nearby though, then the best way to choose which one you should shop at is to make a list and compare prices. Because their quality is similar, you can just choose wherever you can fulfill your list for the cheapest total cost.

It's a battle of German supermarket superiority. Aldi's vs. Lidl is one of the most notable rivalries across grocery chains, and both chains have a long and somewhat intertwined history. Both chains originate in Germany and offer similar approaches to the supermarket experience: low prices, quality goods, usually via private label brands, and lower selections when compared to traditional supermarkets. In many ways, Aldi and Lidl are more similar than they are different, but they aren't identical. Today, we will look at these two grocery chains and discover what makes them different, plus which ones shoppers prefer.

To compile our list, 24/7 used online shopping forums discussing differences and preferences, plus other articles that have done research on some of the notable differences between the two companies. Ultimately, things like "preference" will come down to individual opinions, but there does seem to be some consensus online regarding many of the items that follow.

1. Lidl Locations Are Generally Larger

Lidl stores are up to twice as large as Aldi's locations.

According to Today, one of the major differences between the two stores doesn't have to do with their products, but in how they go about building locations. Lidl is generally larger in terms of square footage, averaging between 13,000 and 21,000 square feet, while Aldi's is usually around 10,000 per store.

Thisdoesimpact shopper experience a bit (bigger locations can feel more premium or grandiose), but the more important thing is that this allows Lidl to offer more product variation. The footprint of a store also impacts the speed of expansion, which may be one of the reasons that Aldi has such an advantage when it comes to the number of locations around the country.

2. Aldi Focuses on Private Label, Lidl Offers More Brand Name

Aldi's has a focus on private label, while Lidl will often incorporate brand-named items in the shopping experience.

To be clear, both Lidl and Aldi are known to have extensive private-label offerings, so this difference is relative to this specific comparison. These private labels are really what make these companies tick, and the quality of them helps to secure the brand image of these grocery chains as inexpensive but still great for shoppers. Together, that ultimately means value.

When comparing them directly, however, there are a few key differences in how they approach private labels. The biggest difference is in the sheer quantity of goods. Aldi almost always offers a private label version of products, with select products being branded (Diet Coke, for example). Lidl also offers a lot of private label, but they are a little more lenient when it comes to allowing certain brand-name products in the store. This is likely because of the space provided by the larger stores, but it's also a clear difference that impacts what is available when comparing the two.

3. Aldi Has More Locations Nationally

Aldi's dominates in the US market in terms of total locations.

In terms of number of store locations, Aldi's has the lead by a substantial margin. This impacts availability quite drastically, and does establish Aldi's as a larger company here in the United States. Currently, Lidl has around 170 stores nationally, with around 12,000 around the world. Aldi has over 2,200 locations nationally, with 12,000 similar stores worldwide, although they aren't all under the same brand name.

As a result, most people in the United States have some brand recognition when it comes to Aldi's, but Lidl still lags behind.

4. Aldi's Requires Quarters for Carts

Using a shopping cart at Aldi's requires a quarter (that is eventually retrieved).

One of the most famous things about Aldi's is the need for quarters to grab a cart. Unlike traditional supermarkets, Aldi shoppers need to deposit a quarter to unlock a cart, a measure to ensure that carts are returned to their designated spots after use.

While it may seem silly to customers, the approach does have a few benefits. First, it helps with cart organization since most people prefer to get their quarter back instead of leaving it out. Second, it reflects Aldi's commitment to efficiency and cost-cutting. Essentially, this reduces the need to have more staff to help with carts, one of the most common jobs in traditional supermarkets in the United States.

While the quarter is returned upon cart return; it adds an interesting twist to the shopping routine and serves as a distinctive feature that regular Aldi shoppers are accustomed to.

5. Lidl Has Larger Produce Sections

Lidl usually has a larger produce selection than Aldi's, but both always carry the pantry staples and essentials.

Generally speaking, Lidl has a much larger produce section than Aldi's does. This is likely tied to the store size, but it also is just a philosophical difference in how each brand approaches groceries. Aldi's will always have the most commonly requested items and pantry staples, but when you need something a little more austere or unique, Lidl is more likely to carry it with regularity.

6. Lidl's Bakery is Renowned

The bakery at Lidl offers fresh baked goods, something many customers really appreciate.

For one of the most "subjective" items on the list, let's look at the Lidl bakery. In much of the online discourse surrounding Lidl, a lot of it is centered around the quality, availability, and freshness of its bakery. Organic and fresh-made breads, fresh sweets, and more are present at every Lidl location, while Aldi's doesn't really have a fresh bakery to the extent that Lidl does.

7. The Checkout Process Is Different At Both

The checkout process looks a little different at each store.

Transitioning from the aisles to the checkout, there are again some minor differences between the stores.

Aldi, known for its efficiency, has a less traditional approach. Here, customers are expected to bag their own groceries as the attendant scans items. Plus, the attendant is usually seated, something uncommon in most grocery stores.

Conversely, Lidl's checkout experience may lean towards a more traditional approach. With a larger store layout, there is more space for traditional conveyor belt setups and dedicated bagging areas.

8. Home Delivery Methods

Aldi uses Instacart, while Lidl uses Shipt.

When it comes to the convenience of home delivery, Aldi and Lidl take different routes. Notably, Aldi has embraced Instacart as its primary home delivery partner, while Lidl uses Shipt for home delivery.

This choice introduces a different dynamic for consumers, as the availability and accessibility of Instacart versus Shipt can vary based on location. If one of these services is more prevalent or user-friendly in a particular area, it could significantly influence how easily customers can access the home delivery options provided by these grocery chains.

Which Do People Prefer?

In the dynamic rivalry between Aldi and Lidl, a subjective online consensus appears to tip the scales slightly in Lidl's favor. Numerous discussions and insights from various online platforms indicate that a significant portion of shoppers express a preference for Lidl over Aldi, citing several factors.

1. Product Selection: Lidl's larger store size allows for a more extensive and varied product selection, catering to diverse consumer preferences. The availability of both private-label and brand-name beats out Aldi's singular focus on private-label.
2. Comparable Prices: Both Aldi and Lidl are known for their commitment to low prices and are seen as "value-centric" online. The consensus online suggests that Lidl manages to maintain this affordability while offering an enhanced selection, edging ahead here.
3. Store Feeling (Size and Design): Lidl's larger store footprint provides a more spacious and visually appealing shopping environment. Shoppers appreciate the combination of affordability and a traditional supermarket feel, which contributes to an overall pleasant in-store experience.
4. Bakery Excellence: Lidl's bakery section is a notable consumer highlight. It's hard to look for feedback online without people mentioning the bakery.

It's important to note that individual preferences play a significant role, and the ultimate choice between Aldi and Lidl will depend on things like location, specific product preferences, and the importance placed on certain aspects of the shopping experience. German supermarket supremacy isn't settled, but it seems that Lidl has an edge in many markets in the United States.