5 Tricks for Shopping at ALDI, According to a Super Fan

Over several years of writing about grocery shopping and more ALDI runs than I can count, I've become an expert at shopping at this unique grocery store. What started as a "quick" pop-in to quell my curiosity about this shop with its many fans has evolved into a genuine love affair.

The incredible prices drew me in, but the clever shopping system, distinctive experience, and the constant stream of exciting new products keeps me coming back. Understanding how to navigate this gem of a store is the ticket to getting everything that ALDI offers. Here's everything you need to know to shop at ALDI like a pro.

1. Wednesdays at ALDI Are Prime Shopping Time

Wednesday mornings at ALDI are pure magic. This is when the new ALDI Finds hit the shelves. ALDI Finds are limited-time treasures, like food and drinks, small appliances, home decor, clothing, outdoor products, and even stuff for kids. The products can be seasonal, trendy, or returning classics.

I've scored an enameled cast iron cookware that looks just like a Williams Sonoma product at a fraction of the cost, elegant glassware, and even premium cuts of meat. (At my local ALDI, fresh food deals unrelated to ALDI Finds also drop on Wednesdays.) Last year, I picked up a braiser that has become one of my most-used kitchen items. Needless to say, Wednesday is the best day to get your shopping done at ALDI.

2. Never Skip the End Caps

While everyone makes a beeline for the ALDI Finds aisle (for good reason!), I always check the end caps for hidden gems. The end caps often house clearance items and seasonal markdowns that can inspire entire meals. I recently found marked-down organic beans that prompted a month of soups at our house. It's rewarding to find products at a super discount even if the products already started at a low price.

3. Bring a Quarter and Your Own Shopping Bags

ALDI doesn't hire staff to wrangle carts in the parking lot, which helps keep prices low. It also doesn't provide free shopping bags. Asking customers to bring reusable shopping bags and a quarter for the shopping cart (Yes, you will get back when you return it!) is part of ALDI's cost-saving strategy. In the name of efficiency and (again) cost savings, shoppers bag their groceries at the checkout counter.

I always keep a dedicated "ALDI quarter" in my car and a stash of reusable bags in my trunk. Rest assured that if you forget your bags, you can buy paper or reusable ones.

4. The Most Efficient Checkout System

ALDI’s checkout counter is a well-oiled machine, but it’s unlike other grocery stores. If you're new, it can be disorienting at first. Let me save you the awkward learning curve: The cart you start with is not the cart you leave with. When you reach the cashier, your groceries are scanned and moved into a new cart next to the register. Your original cart is then handed off to the next shopper in line—their groceries are scanned and moved into your cart. That is why even if you're popping in for just a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk, you need to grab a cart.

Once you're done checking out, roll your new cart to the bagging station near the exit and pack up as quickly or slowly as you like. This system ensures that shoppers move efficiently through the checkout line.

5. ALDI's Generous Return Policy

ALDI's return policy is called Twice as Nice Guarantee, which makes it easy for shoppers to take chances on products. The policy states that if you're unhappy with the quality of any ALDI-exclusive food items, ALDI will refund your money and replace it.

For non-food ALDI Finds, alcohol, national brands, or issues unrelated to quality, ALDI will allow either a refund or a replacement. This policy has encouraged me to take risks with ingredients I normally avoid. For example, the pumpkin and butternut squash pasta sauce I hesitated over turned out to be a family favorite. Knowing that I could return it if it wasn't up to par gave me the confidence to try it out.