Aldi coming to Duluth and Superior?

Paul Lundgren Dec 04, 2014 15 Comments

The Germany-based discount supermarket chain Aldi has posted online ads for store manager trainees in Duluth and Superior, a strong indication the company is planning to open stores in the Twin Ports. The website cdinduluth.com first reported rumors of Aldi’s interest in Duluth back in January. Aldi has over 9,000 stores in over 18 countries. It is known for carrying inexpensive grocery staples and household items, generally with unfamiliar brand names (often contracted by Aldi), and for practices designed to lower grocery costs by lowering store expenses — i.e. quarter-deposits for use of carts, high credit-card processing fees, no free bags and limited store hours.

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15 Comments

jkrumm

about 7 years ago

I briefly visited one in Minneapolis. Was not impressed. Strange place. Lots of packaged foods. I suppose you could think of it as a sort of Trader Joe's for the poor, and you can credit them for building where others won't.

ruby2sd4y

about 7 years ago

I shared the info with my Dad (from Mpls who does a LOT of shopping) asking if there were any deals to be had at Aldi's.

He replied, "Produce is what we shop often - cheaper and if it's not right they will refund your receipt $ and give you free replacements."

Since I basically shop with my own bag as my cart, and don't use a credit card -guess I'll give it a whirl for produce. It may end up free! Ha!

Lindap

about 7 years ago

They are owned by Trader Joe's but are marketing to a completely different audience.  We shop there pretty regularly when we are in the Twin Cities area.  I once got a 12 lb ham for $2.00 after the holidays.  I also got 'silpats' (those silicone baking sheet liners) for next to nothing.  Yes, the produce is cheap and they have rotating specialty items that can be good deals.  Sure wish it was Joe's instead.

The Prize Is Lobster

about 7 years ago

Aldi is a great store, and I think it will do well in Duluth/Superior. I was put off by it at first because of the odd feeling layout and paying a quarter for shopping carts, but I gave it a second chance. I get a good supply of my groceries from there now. Produce is hit and miss, but a lot of the stuff they sell is quite good. Aesthetically, what I like the best about it is unlike stores like Sav-A-Lot or other bargain brands, they  have packaging and designs that don't look generic. Nothing worse than looking in a cupboard full of food that looks like the stores in Repo Man.

janamidwife

about 7 years ago

It's my guess that this is what will be going into the mystery construction project on Woodland, part of the BlueStone Loft commercial development. Rumors fly that it will be a Trader Joe's, but this makes more sense.

Bret

about 7 years ago

Please be a Trader Joe's!

StarryNight

about 7 years ago

I actually talked to Trader Joe's this past fall about a store in Duluth.  Even though I have no doubt he could hear the desperation in my voice, the guy said they have an 8 hour, distribution center to store rule and the closest distribution center to Duluth is just over 8 hours away.  He said there is talk of building a distribution center in the cities so maybe that will get one here.

tamara

about 7 years ago

As I understand it, it is going to be built in the Kmart/Hobby Lobby/Savers parking lot as a small 12,000-foot store.

norSKI

about 7 years ago

Love Aldi.  Their prices for groceries are significantly lower and I like the strategies they use to make that happen.   I personally prefer to have fewer choices, have you confronted the cheese and/or yogurt and/or frozen pizza sections of your average supermarket lately?   I WILL be bummed, however, if they don't set up shop in one of our "food desert" neighborhoods (like Lincoln Park, where I live) and a transit-accessible location is a no-brainer.

ruby2sd4y

about 7 years ago

I had sent this to Paul, as I've been extremely busy with work, but perhaps he didn't want to post this link, so I will:

Rumored

Woott! Two Buck Chuck!

Sam

about 7 years ago

The use of the question mark in the thread title reminds me of this from Jon Stewart.

tvoller

about 7 years ago

This from cdinduluth backs up what was posted above. So, can't see how we can predict a TJ in Duluth until we hear of a distribution center opening much closer to us.

toyota200x

about 6 years ago

Had anyone heard any news about the opening of Aldi? I was really looking forward to having them in the area.

Paul Lundgren

about 6 years ago



Location: 4429 Tower Avenue by Menards and the Bong Airport.

Paul Lundgren

about 6 years ago



Opening date: Nov. 12.

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