The Connection Between Trader Joe's And Aldi - Tasting Table (2024)

FAQs

The Connection Between Trader Joe's And Aldi - Tasting Table? ›

Trader Joe's is actually a subsidiary of Aldi Nord — the sibling company of Aldi Süd, or Aldi, as it's known in the U.S. Aldi was originally a suburban German corner store owned by brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht after World War II.

Aldi Nord purchased Trader Joe's in 1979 from founder Joe Coulombe. Coulombe founded Trader Joe's in 1967 in Pasadena, Calif. Coulombe was the one who helped define Trader Joe's aesthetic and offerings over the next two decades. Coulombe stayed with the company after Aldi Nord bought it until 1988.

Trader Joe's is owned by families that also own part of Aldi Nord. Trader Joe's and Aldi Nord operate independently. Trader Joe's has no business or ownership relationship with Aldi Sud (including Aldi U.S.).

As Eat This, Not That explains, California-based Trader Joe's and its 557 U.S. stores (per ScrapeHero) are a subsidiary of German chain Aldi Nord, the sibling company of Aldi Süd, which Americans know simply as Aldi, the home of such fan-favorite house brands as Mama Cozzi's pizzas, Clancy's snacks, and Winking Owl ...

Aldi has completed its acquisition of Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers Inc., the parent company of the Winn-Dixie and Harveys. Aldi said March 7 it completed the acquisition of Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers Inc., the parent company of the Winn-Dixie and Harveys supermarket chains.

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.

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.

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.

The brothers split the Aldi empire after a fight over cigarettes. In 1961 – when the retailer had more than 300 stores across West Germany – the brothers split the business into two divisions after a disagreement about whether to sell cigarettes. Theo wanted to sell them, but Karl thought they would attract shoplifters ...

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.

Where does Aldi's food come from? ›

When it comes to meat and produce, it's likely that Aldi is sourcing from local farmers in your area. 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.

Trader Joe's competitors include H E B, Whole Foods Market, Safeway, Sprouts Farmers Market and NatureBox. Trader Joe's ranks 2nd in Product Quality Score on Comparably vs its competitors.

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.

The Albrecht family, who own Aldi and Trader Joe's, has been historically secretive, and there is a lot that's unknown about their personal lives.

We're passionate about supporting local producers wherever possible. Which is why, at Aldi, you'll find over 75 of our everyday products come from Welsh farms or makers. Such as brilliant beef and lamb, perfect potatoes and delicious dairy products, so you can support them too with your weekly shop. Amazing!

Aldi offers lower prices on many items and superior product quality at the same time. Aldi's guarantee gives shoppers peace of mind to try new products without worrying about wasting money.

Urban myth claims the German discounter rivals Aldi and Lidl were founded by two brothers. That isn't true. Both grocery store empires were founded by different families.

In 1961, the Albrecht Family founded the world's first discount grocery store in Germany. 16 years later in 1976, we opened our first ALDI store in Iowa. Today, with our ALDI headquarters in Batavia, Illinois, we have grown to more than 2,000 stores across 36 states with over 25,000 employees.

ALDI History

For over 40 years, we have stuck to the same guiding principle: great quality should come with everyday low prices. In 1961, the Albrecht Family founded the world's first discount grocery store in Germany.