The Actual Meaning Behind The 'Aldi' Name

Whether you're preparing for a pub quiz or have pondered while walking through store aisles, we are here to share the origin story of Aldi's name. In 1913, a small food shop opened in Essen, Germany. The entrepreneurial effort was spearheaded by Anna Albrecht, and her sons took over the initiative in 1948. Karl and Theo Albrecht got to work nurturing a concept that was aimed at keeping prices low for grocery shoppers. The name Aldi, which came in 1962, results from the shortening of Albrecht Discount, which was the store's original name. 

That value-for-money notion has been at the core of the store's ethos since the early days. Aldi supplies and inventories were limited, fancy product displays were skipped, and visitors were encouraged to pack their own groceries. Any product that wasn't selling was quickly removed, and word of mouth served as the main form of advertising as the Albrecht family opened up several more stores in Germany. Today, affordable products and decent prices are still the name of the game at Aldi, and many fans have come to appreciate the efficiency powering the budget grocery store.

A squabble over whether or not to sell cigarettes ended with the Albrecht brothers divvying up the company into two distinct labels, Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd, but the popularity of the bargain grocery store continued to soar. In 1976, the company opened a location in Iowa, and by 2020, more than 2,000 Aldi stores had cropped up across the United States. Not only has Aldi Süd established a solid presence in America, a trust of Aldi Nord bought Trader Joe's.  

From grocery staples to unique finds, Aldi is keeping kitchens well stocked without calling for shoppers to open their wallets wide and break the bank. The approach has worked, and Aldi fans have taken to Reddit to share affordable meal ideas and shopping lists that can feed families on a budget. Some discerning shoppers post their favorite products found on store shelves. Aldi may have first opened in a low-income suburb, but as one of the first discount stores, the business has certainly proven its concept through decades of successful operations.