Dartblog

Another great market response. When costs go up, companies who want to turn a profit find ways to deliver lower prices. Shoppers win. Now that this chain has gotten a little press let’s just hope that the government and/or “consumer advocate” groups” didn’t read the article too and try to improve it.

Its stores are small and spartan, with minimal décor and a limited selection of products. They are often found in nondescript shopping strips and lack the flashy signs and window displays of some competitors. Grocery carts cost a quarter apiece, which is refundable after the cart is returned.

But as the economy sputters and consumers look to save money, the privately held Aldi is suddenly emerging as a major force in the grocery business, one that some predict could one day rival Wal-Mart.

What makes Aldi so special is that, quite simply, its prices are cheaper than just about anyone else’s, including Wal-Mart’s….The company said recently that prices of its private-label products were 16 percent to 24 percent below those at discounters and big-box stores, and 40 percent less than those at traditional supermarkets.