Aldi and Trader Joe’s: Are they related? - Produce Blue Book (2024)

A popular misconception about Aldi U.S. BB #:116756 is that it’s a sibling company, or at least a cousin, to Trader Joe’s BB #:162286. It is not. While the two chains have some similarities, with both following a low-price, private-label-dependent strategy, they are independently owned and operated. The confusion arises from the fact that their ownership groups, currently separate, have a shared history.

The first Aldi grocery store, Albrecht Diskont, opened in Germany in the early 1900s. The owner’s two sons took over after World War II and ultimately expanded the business into one of the largest grocery chains in Europe, with hundreds of locations in Germany and beyond. In 1960, the two brothers argued and decided to split the company into two separate entities, Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd. Aldi Nord took the Aldi locations in northern Germany and much of Europe, while Aldi Süd took those in southern Germany and the remainder of the European region.

The two companies continue to exist as separate businesses, operating stores in their respective regions, both under the Aldi banner. They cooperate in some instances in the interest of consistency, such as working together to offer the same product mix, maintaining the same store layout, and operating a joint website to brings the Aldi brand under one digital roof.

In the United States, Aldi Süd founded the first American Aldi store in Iowa in 1976 and now owns all U.S. Aldi locations. A local management group is responsible for Aldi Süd’s 1,800 U.S. stores. In 1979, meanwhile, Aldi Nord purchased the U.S. operations of Trader Joe’s, which had been founded in California in 1958. Trader Joe’s operates as a separate division of the parent.

The bottom line: there is not, and never has been, joint ownership of Aldi and Trader Joe’s in the U.S. market.

This is an excerpt from the most recent Produce Blueprints quarterly journal. Click here to read the full version.

Aldi and Trader Joe’s: Are they related? - Produce Blue Book (2024)

FAQs

Aldi and Trader Joe’s: Are they related? - Produce Blue Book? ›

A popular misconception about Aldi U.S. BB #:116756 is that it's a sibling company, or at least a cousin, to Trader Joe's BB #:162286. It is not. While the two chains have some similarities, with both following a low-price, private-label-dependent strategy, they are independently owned and operated.

Is there a connection between Trader Joe's and Aldi? ›

So, the common myth runs that ALDI is the same as Trader Joe's, just operating under a different name. Nope! ALDI and Trader Joe's do not share the same parent company, have no joint ownership, and are independently operated. But, the two stores do share a common family heritage.

Where does Aldi produce come from? ›

Locally Grown Produce And Vegetables

According to Aldi's website, it "teams up with top growers throughout the U.S., including local growers." When it comes to local produce, it's one of the ways the grocery chain saves money. Local produce is generally cheaper than produce shipped from elsewhere.

Who is the parent company of Trader Joe's? ›

The chain was sold to Aldi founder Theo Albrecht in 1979, who owned it until his death in 2010, when ownership passed to his heirs. The company has offices in Monrovia, California, and Boston, Massachusetts.

Who is the parent company of Aldi stores? ›

Owned by a German company called Albrecht Discounts, ALDI is a discount grocery chain that started in Germany in 1948. Decidedly no frills, the company stocks virtually all house-brand products, all offered at very low prices thanks to exclusive deals with their suppliers, many of which are big-name producers.

Is Aldi a sister company of Trader Joe's? ›

Actually, Trader Joe's is owned by Aldi, but not the one you are thinking of. Aldi, short for Albrecht Discount, was a German grocery company that split into Aldi Nord and Aldi Sud in the 60s. In the United States, Aldi stores are owned by Aldi Sud and Trader Joe's are owned by Aldi Nord.

What is Trader Joe's sister company? ›

A tale of two Aldis

For those who are stunned to learn Trader Joe's isn't just an Aldi subsidiary but that there are two Aldis, let's take a step back. CNBC explains Aldi was originally founded as a suburban German corner store which brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht inherited after World War II.

Are Aldi products good quality? ›

Just like most supermarkets, Aldi has its own brand of products and they're not only high-quality, they're also extremely affordable. If you find yourself in an Aldi, it's a good idea to avoid brand-name products and take advantage of the reasonably priced Aldi items, like frozen pizzas, chips, and baked goods.

Where does Aldi's get most of their food? ›

Within the United States, Aldi sources its products both domestically and from abroad. Aldi's products are made in China, the United Kingdom, and Germany, among others. However, it should be fairly easy to determine which products are made in the United States and which are imported internationally.

What does Aldi mean in German? ›

In 1962, they introduced the name Aldi—short for Albrecht-Diskont, which translates into English as "Albrecht Discount". Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd have been financially and legally separate since 1966. The individual groups were originally owned and managed jointly by the brothers.

Does China own Trader Joe's or USA? ›

California-based Trader Joe's brands itself as a “national chain of neighborhood grocery stores.” But the grocery chain known for its private label goods and competitive prices is owned by the same German family that founded another well-known grocery store: Aldi.

Who is Aldi's brother? ›

Theodor Paul Albrecht (German: [ˈalbʁɛçt]; 28 March 1922 – 24 July 2010) was a German entrepreneur. He established the discount supermarket chain Aldi with his brother Karl Albrecht. In 2010, Theo was ranked by Forbes as the 31st richest person in the world, with a net worth of $16.7 billion.

Who did Aldi merge with? ›

Aldi's acquisition of Southeastern Grocers is expected to be completed within the first half of 2024. The Harveys and Winn-Dixie stores, primarily located in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida, will continue to operate under their current banners until the deal is complete.

What food chain did Aldi buy? ›

Key Facts. Aldi, which has stores in 38 states and Washington, D.C., will buy all outstanding shares in Winn-Dixie and Harveys' parent company, Southeastern Grocers, amid an expansion that plans to have 2,400 stores open in the U.S. by the end of the year.

Does China own Trader Joe's? ›

Trader Joe's was purchased in 1979 by a German conglomerate, is entirely managed in the US, and has never been resold.

What is the difference between Aldi and Trader Joe? ›

Aldi has a wider selection of organic produce and it's cheaper than Trader Joe's, added Lucy Henderson of Palladio Interiors. For example, organic spring mix at Aldi is 29 cents an ounce, while at Trader Joe's it's 46 cents an ounce.

Who is Trader Joe's biggest competitor? ›

Top 10 Trader Joe's competitors
  • Walmart.
  • Bravo Supermarkets.
  • CJ Express.
  • DealsOfAmerica.com.
  • HEB Grocery.
  • Kroger.
  • Pete's Market.
  • Target.

Are Lidl and Aldi owned by the same company? ›

It's a common misconception that Lidl and Aldi are owned by the same company -- but they're not, they're both simply German. The reason folks might make this mistake is that Aldi and Trader Joe's are owned by Aldi Nord.

What market share does Trader Joe's have? ›

In the US, the company has a notable market share in at least one industry: Supermarkets & Grocery Stores, where they account for an estimated 1.6% of total industry revenue and are considered a Golden Goose because they display medium to strong market share and strong profit, but slower revenue growth than some of ...

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