Food inflation is way worse than official, government data states if my local Aldi is a measure. The German-owned grocery was my favorite supermarket—until today’s visit. The many changes—higher costs among them—dismay and disappoint.
Aldi is about a 20-minute drive from our apartment, making it an expedition when other grocers are walking distance away. I hadn’t been to the place since sometime in 2023, although my wife has ventured there more recently. Today’s trip was my suggestion.
I brought along memory of past pricing for comparison to the present. Yikes! Everything costs substantially more. For example, can of chili con carne is at least 30 percent more, and the kind without beans is about a buck higher per can.
Before the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)/COVID-19 lockdowns, a box of corn flakes cost one dollar. What a bargain for a house brand that adequately compared to Kellog’s. When, in 2020, the price rose by 25 cents—a 25-percent increase—Annie abandoned the cereal; on principle. Aldi now demands (gasp) $2.25 per box—or 125 percent more than the price four years ago.
We passed inviting, well-stocked meat and produce sections, but pricing pricked my interest. I’ve seen cheaper choices elsewhere, which really surprised. Days past, I could count on Aldi affordability, particularly for the many house-branded items.
I saw more national brands on store shelves than any past visit and wonder what that change might mean for the company’s operational character, cost of doing business, and supply-chain logistics.
Annie warned me that Aldi had replaced cashiers with self-check stations. You would think that fewer employees would lower overhead and help to mitigate rising costs. Maybe not.
The Featured Image, captured with Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, gives glimpse of that experience. You see yourself on a monitor, and the video is taken with an ultrawide lens that is quite distorting. Don’t expect to leave the place with the same self-image that you came in with. My nose seemingly swelled to banana size whenever I leaned in to scan something. Can we bring back the cashiers?
Of all the local supermarkets, Aldi adds charm to the holiday shopping season. Today’s trip prepared for many more expeditions in the coming months. They’re cancelled. I really expected the grocer to maintain the competitive pricing advantage that is hallmark of its reputation. Sure, for example, canned chili costs considerably more at closer supermarkets. But Costco’s offering handily is less. I never imagined the German grocer charging so much more than it does for seemingly everything.
Adios, Aldi, I will miss you. Should I ever lower my expectations or you lower prices, maybe our relationship can resume.
Photo vitals: f/2.4, ISO 100, 1/125 sec, 70mm (film equivalent); 11:14 a.m. PDT.