Dear Aldi: More Trader Joe’s, please
It’s enough to make a Californian giddy. Our local Aldi (and perhaps other outlets, too?) is starting to stock more and more items from Trader Joe’s — the slightly upscale but still super-cheap grocer based in the U.S., which is owned, curiously, by Aldi. (For those unfamiliar with the grocer — imagine a small, quality bioladen with Lidl/Aldi prices. That’s Trader’s.) Perhaps these simple items just fell off the boat and then off the loading truck on to one of Aldi’s many tasteful pallet displays, but I’m hoping it’s a sign of more good things to come.
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February 2nd, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Do you know if it’s only Aldi Nord (or also Aldi Süd) stores stocking up with TJ’s items?
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
They’ve been rebranding many Aldi products for a few years, possibly related to their expansion towards the east, and the more “German” names (i.e. Nutella which is then called something like “Nußetti” etc.) are disappearing, and being replaced by English, and therefore more “international”(-ly usable) packaging, names, and brands. I suspect this is the reason why stuff has been turning up for a while (indeed: mainly nuts, dried fruit, that kind of thing) under the TJ name at Aldi branches. At the same time, the other “Aldi brands” for the same products (for the same price) have vanished.
It’s a shame though that the EU Osterweitertung means they’re repackaging their products. Until a few years ago, packaging-wise, going to Aldi was like a step back in time to the 70s, sometimes even the 50s, and certainly into the GDR. Now the stuff just looks like your usual cheap-supermarket crap. A lot of the charm has gone, I think.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:49 am
if anything resembling a TJ’s showed up in Berlin, i would freak out in the best possible way.
February 5th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Jean Pierre: I’m not sure…we’ll have to get some southern German scouts to look around. Stay tuned.
D.Z.: “Charming” and “supermarket” are seldom words one utters in the same breath; that said, it’s always a bit sad when personality (or what is perceived as such) disappears in the face of globalized supply-chain grocery convenience. If one wants awesome packaging, however, one should make a beeline to Belarus. The country’s stand at Grunewoche was pure porn for the Sovietophiles among us. I loved it.
fudduf: We will certainly join you in your freak!
February 6th, 2008 at 10:16 am
I wouldn’t count on it, sorry to say. Most of the stuff I see people in the States raving about at TJ’s would send a paroxysm of fear through the average German shopper.
As for the North/South divide, I think Christina over at http://www.amiexpat.com/ has a post on that. Too lazy to go look, and she is, of course, in the south.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
They sell “Trader Joe” branded stuff (again, nuts, raisins, etc.) in Aldi in Britain, which belongs, technically, to Aldi Süd, so I don’t see why they shouldn’t be at Aldi Süd in Germany either. In any case, they are often “special offer” articles, which means they’re in stock only for a short period of time – at least when, presumbably, they’re trying to see if they sell well (or better than the standard Aldi products that they are intended to replace).
February 7th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Ed, most of the stuff people in Berlin are raving about at Rogacki would send a paroxysm of fear through the average American shopper. I would think that TJ’s would do really well over here, what with all the organic food markets opening up in the yuppie neighborhoods.
February 9th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I found the Aldi comparison here:
http://www.amiexpat.com/2007/11/20/whats-good-at-aldi/
I’ll go and have a look at Aldi Süd myself — when I’m done with my thesis — since I just moved back to southern Germany
I haven’t been to Aldi in years…
February 13th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
I’m in the U.S. and am awaiting the TJ items to come into my Aldi. But the stuffed salmon seems to be the same from TJ, just another brand. I wonder if both are made by the same people since TJ in itself doesn’t make anything, just has private labeling?
The Aldi one seems to have more stuffing in it though. Not sure if it’s the same overseas.
I would love more TJ type stuff @ Aldi, regardless if they give it another name or not.
Now, if they bring over stevia to Aldi from TJ, that would be heaven! I have to make a special trip just to go get it @ TJ.
Happy Shopping.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I wonder if both are made by the same people since TJ in itself doesn’t make anything, just has private labeling?
You’ve got it. Barely anything in Aldi over here has the brand “Aldi” on it – I think the first product I saw calling itself “Aldi” was their “Baumkuchen” before Christmas – but the companies given as the manafacturers only exist to produce Aldi products.
Anyway – it’s (TJ) just a shop/a brand. Isn’t it?
February 26th, 2008 at 12:00 am
http://berlin.equipier.com/aldi-et-trader-joes.php
March 5th, 2008 at 12:50 am
I have been extremely loyal to Aldi. Phenomenal savings,especially with two in college! However, I’ve started buying organic foods because I’ve learned how much healthier & tastier they are. We live in Gastonia,N.C. & would love for aldi to carry organic produce, dairy, meat,etc. Any chance of that? I live in an upscale part of town & know several people who would love to buy organic food from Aldi. Please,please consider it!! Thank you,Debbie Hobson
April 9th, 2008 at 10:14 am
[...] Aldi, Lidl—each manage to carry at least one staple item that we like to consume. Aldi, as Hungry in Berlin pointed out, carries Trader Joe’s items. So that’s where we buy our walnuts and [...]