What makes Aldi popular with shoppers: 4 reasons customers swear by it
As Aldi prepares to expand into Colorado with more than 50 stores and a distribution center, online chatter and word-of-mouth buzz are growing around the discount grocer’s arrival. Known for its low prices and unconventional shopping experience, Aldi has developed a devoted customer base nationwide.
Lifestyle, trends and food blogger Meagan Thomas said she first tried the supermarket 15 years ago in Lawrence, Kan.
“It’s always great when Colorado Springs can get something new,” the Springs-based influencer said. “They have a lot of store brand items that are really interesting, and they have really good pricing.”
According to the 2025 Aldi Price Leadership Report, the grocer offers lower prices than any other national grocery chain. While the company does not offer a rewards program like many competitors, weekly specials allow customers to find discounts on rotating products throughout the store.
“I think it’s always really important for people to have access to affordable food,” Thomas said. “So, I think they offer something really awesome.”
These low prices are made possible through Aldi’s unique cost-cutting measures, including operating with fewer employees than a typical grocer.
Aldi’s efficiency-driven approach shapes the shopping experience. The store requires a refundable 25-cent deposit to unlock a cart, which encourages returns and reduces labor costs.
Checkout is also designed for speed: cashiers scan items while customers bag groceries at a separate counter.
For local shopper Melissa Hart, Aldi’s approach is worth the effort.
“I don’t know if other people are looking for what I’m looking for out of a grocery store, but I know exactly what I want,” Hart said. “I know how to pick my own stuff, and I’m OK with bagging my own groceries if it means saving money.”
Aldi also attracts shoppers with its focus on quality ingredients. With 90% of the store’s products being private-label brands, many avoid artificial colors, synthetic dyes and toxic preservatives.
The grocer has also gained praise for its affordable vegan and plant-based alternatives, giving shoppers options that can be harder to find at traditional supermarkets.
“Years ago, I had a 5-year-old foster daughter,” Hart said. “She had some allergies, and it was really difficult to shop for things that wouldn’t set off her allergies. Aldi was great because I knew that none of the ingredients were in there.”
From low prices and efficient checkouts to quality ingredients, Aldi has built a devoted following that appreciates both the discounts and the shopping experience. For a quick recap of what makes Aldi popular with shoppers, here are four reasons to be excited for Aldi’s Colorado expansion:
- Most products are Aldi-exclusive, with fewer artificial ingredients
The majority of Aldi’s products are private-label brands. Many items avoid artificial colors, synthetic dyes and toxic preservatives, and the store has gained praise for affordable vegan alternatives and plant-based options. - Fewer employees help keep prices low
Aldi operates with a smaller staff by design. Employees often handle multiple roles, which allows the chain to offer consistently lower prices. - Speed at checkout
Cashiers scan items quickly, typically while seated, and then return the items back to the shopping cart. Customers then bag their own items at a separate counter, making the store well-known for fast grocery trips.
- Pay a quarter, use a cart
Aldi requires a refundable 25-cent deposit to unlock a shopping cart, a system that helps keep carts from cluttering parking lots while cutting labor costs.