If you are going to compare Lidl with Aldi, you have to decide which Aldi, since there are two, a northern Euro and a Southern Euro.
Many folk are not aware of this, they operate independently and most folk tend to encounter one or the other.
The Wikipedia article tells us that Aldi Nord operates Trader Joe’s in the US, while Aldi Sud operates Aldi stores. So presumably an American asking about Aldi is referring to the southern one.
Anything in the last 8 years - Google is telling me 2008?
Thanks for the replies–I can’t wait till one comes to my area. I already shop at Aldi’s and the quality of the food is comparable to Safeway and Giant supermarkets, and the prices are very good.
Updating this thread as Lidl is about to open its first 20 stores in the US.
I live in England and shop frequently at Lidl. Good quality food at really cheap prices, it has cut my food expenses considerably since I started doing most of my shopping there rather than in Tesco or Asda (Walmart). The selection is limited but it’s all top quality. Well worth a visit if one opens in your vicinity.
Among the things I’ve seen in the random aisle: Horse riding equipment, skiing gear, a selection of chainsaws…
Both Lidl and Aldi (in the UK at least) do pay more than the usual supermarket wage, but the staff work for it, being expected to fill all the roles as demand requires: replenishment, unloading, checkout, cleaning etc.
US Aldi has the “random aisle” as well. Always a trip to see what craziness they’re selling now. I have never bought any of it as it all looks like absolute bottom-of-barrel junk.
The produce OTOH is both good to great and cheap to very cheap.
In the two states I’ve used Aldi’s they have employment ads posted and the offered wages seem a bit above those at more typical grocery stores in the same area. The staff all seem genuinely cheerful, but they work like demons.
It’s a shame aldiboronti’s link doesn’t mention where those first stores are going. lidl.com is equally uninformative. Oh well; I guess it’ll be a surprise.