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.

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.

Owned by a German company called Albrecht Discounts, ALDI is a discount grocery chain that started in Germany in 1948.

They are (albeit distant) branches from the same family tree and have a wide selection of items under their popular store brands, including everyday basics and ultra-seasonal items at affordable prices. Speaking of low prices, both Aldi and Trader Joe's have incredibly devoted followings for that aspect alone.

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.

By manufacturing a line of private label offerings and cutting out middlemen, Trader Joe's has been able to keep value high and costs low, often at a fraction of what its competitors charge. Takeaway: Regularly research to ensure you are getting the best quality workmanship, materials, and goods.

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.

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 ...

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

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.

Aldi and Walmart are separate and independent retail companies, each with its own ownership, management, and business operations. Aldi is a German-based global discount supermarket chain. The company operates two main divisions: Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd. The Aldi stores in the United States are operated by Aldi Süd.

Due to a dispute between Theo Albrecht and his brother Karl about whether or not the store should sell cigarettes, Aldi split into two financially distinct companies in the early 1960s: Theo's Aldi Nord (North) and Karl's Aldi Süd (South). Trader Joe's, meanwhile, got its start thanks to one man aptly named Joe.

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.

One bell lets our Crew know when to open another register. Two bells mean there are additional questions that need to be answered at the checkout. Three bells call over a manager-type person.

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.

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. But you may be asking yourself, what is Aldi Nord?

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.