Home

 › 

Family Health

 › 

Recipes

 › 

Lidl vs. Aldi: How They’re Different & Which is Better

Lidl vs. Aldi: How They’re Different & Which is Better

Lidl vs. Aldi: What's the difference? While they may be similar stores, they offer different experiences for shoppers. For starters, one is more expensive while the other offers more items.

Choosing between Lidl and Aldi can help you save money. It can also give you an idea of each store's product quality. You might also find it intriguing who owns both stores and how that influences your shopping experience.

This article explores the unique differences between Lidl and Aldi regarding price and shopper experience. We also explore their histories and the better choices for shoppers. Ultimately, you'll discover the best grocery store and where you can save the most.

The Food Substitutions Bible
  • The must-have convenient reference guide for every home cook!
  • Includes more than 8,000 substitutions for ingredients, cookware, and techniques.
  • Save time and money on by avoiding trips to grab that "missing" ingredient you don't really need.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Lidl vs. Aldi: What Makes Them Unique?

Inflation is soaring. Grocery prices are rising. That's why finding the best grocery stores with the best prices is more important than ever.

In 1913, two brothers, Karl Albrecht and Theo Albrecht, started Aldi. They've continued to dominate the superstore industry for over a hundred years. They now have one of the most dominant grocery stores in the world. Today, there are more than 11,00 stores. One of the most interesting things about Aldis is that they share the same family heritage as Trader Joe's. However, there's no overlap.

Lidl's history is nearly as old as Aldi's. Lidl was founded in 1930 by the Schwarz Group. Although this store is present in the United States, it's also one of the leading organizations throughout Europe.

While Lidl and Aldi are similar in many ways, there's no relation between the two. They have unique prices, products, and policies.

What's the Better Price?

If you're looking for the best price, look no further than Lidl and Aldis. However, what's the best overall price for your shopping list? This depends on what you're looking for. For example, apples are cheaper at Aldis, while eggs are more expensive. Potatoes are also more costly at Aldis. Bread and pasta are nearly the same, being around a dollar each.

If you're looking for dinner and baking items like chicken and flour, you'll find that it costs slightly less at Lidl than at Aldis. However, many of the produce you'll find at Aldis is often cheaper.

Regardless of whether it's at Aldi or Lidl, you'll have to ensure they have your item. In some cases, since they aren't as large or specialized as other grocery stores, they can sometimes be missing particular spices or ethnic foods. Check with your local Aldis or Lidl to see if they carry a specific item before shopping.

Different Policies

Side view of an hispanic mother buying products at the grocery store with her daughter and pushing a shopping cart on the supermarket aisle

©antoniodiaz/Shutterstock.com

One of the best policies is at Aldis. It encourages shoppers to return their grocery carts to organize the store parking lot. This policy involves using a quarter to release the shopping cart to use it before shopping. By doing this, the shopper can get their quarter returned when they return it to the line of shopping carts.

It's an accountability system that makes shoppers want to return their carts to get their money back. It also keeps the grocery clean, and Aldis doesn't have to hire additional workers to organize shopping carts.

The Food Substitutions Bible
  • The must-have convenient reference guide for every home cook!
  • Includes more than 8,000 substitutions for ingredients, cookware, and techniques.
  • Save time and money on by avoiding trips to grab that "missing" ingredient you don't really need.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Another way to save money at Aldis and Lidl is with shopping bags. While both stores have ready grocery bags for you, they will charge you for using them. This is why many shoppers will bring their bags to avoid paying the fee of getting a bag for their groceries at the store.

Another policy instituted at both grocery stores is how customers must bag their groceries, with or without their bags. There are no hired hands that bag things for you as a shopper. Since there are fewer hired hands, shoppers need to discern where to find certain items, how to bag them, and how to bring them to their car.

The final policy similar to Aldis and Lidl is their return policy. They both have a generous policy allowing you to return them if the customer is unsatisfied. Customers can either exchange the items they are unhappy with or return them in exchange for their money back.

What Store Should You Go To?

Is there a perfect choice between Aldis and Lidl? While they are similar in many respects, they are also different regarding prices and shopping experiences. They have unique benefits that can help you save money at the grocery store.

If you want to save money on produce, Aldis is preferable. However, if you want to save on certain meats, Lidl is the best choice. The key is to experience both and see which one you like more.

To top