Aldi's.. Are they going commercial?

I have never started a thread here, mostly just read what everybody else has to say. This may or may not be the place to discuss the subject, so feel free to direct me elsewhere, if necessary.

I have been shopping Aldi's for years now. Can't remember where the first one opened here locally, but I used to shop at the one on Preston until the they opened the one at Fegenbush and Bardstown Road. Best place to go and buy a spiral sliced ham w/ glaze (1.49 lb.) and a whole precooked smoked turkey (1.69 lb.) Many, many other seasonal and specialty food bargains too as well as kitchen staples. It was like a secret place with a cultish clientale.

But lately I noticed large newspaper ads and even commercials on tv. I always thought the point of their no frills, no ads, "put your quarter in the cart" approach was to maintain their low prices for the steady, loyal customer base. Even though they are owned by an overseas outfit, the perspective was that the company didn't want to come across as ultra-corporate. Kinda disheartening that the direction seems to be changing.

Anybody else notice the climate changing for this outfit?

I'm an Aldi fan also. I'd suspect that it's a sign of the recession. No store can depend only on those of us in the cult. They need to advertise to broaden their market reach. The only changes I've noticed is a broader selection. Same quality, same low prices.

I just wanted to echo Teri's comments about the spiral sliced ham. OMG, it is just awesome. IMHO, tastes as good a Honey Baked Ham at a fraction of the price. Last time I bought one, it was about $11 for a 8-pound ham.

I don't have a problem with the commercials running on TV these days. I know a lot of people have never darkened the door at Aldi's and it's a shame to keep it a secret.

Lois

We went the other day and got a smoked turkey. It made lovely hot browns for dinner last night! Now I have about 80 bazillion pounds of smoked turkey left, and I need to figure out what to do with it!

I know the one here in Etown is PACKED all of the time now. I've been shopping there for close to 10 years, and have NEVER had to wait in line like I have had to lately. The prices have went up alittle, but it is still cheaper than other places!

FYI, I think I recall reading somewhere that Aldi and IKEA are owned by the same company.

Actually, it's Aldi and Trader Joe's are owned by the same company.

I knew they were owned by a German outfit, but had no idea they were associated with Trader Joes, or IKEA, for that matter.

I've also noticed how much busier they are now than a couple of years ago. I guess that's where I get bummed. Seems like it's always packed now. I'm going there with my mom today to pick up stuff.
I keep thinking I'll make a list of items that I buy on a regular basis and share it with all.

Back on the spiral sliced ham... I smoked one on my charcoal smoker a while back and it turned out awesome. Still got the hambone in my freezer. Talking about it has prompted me to get it out this weekend for bean soup and cornbread...

Mary Beth is correct. They are owned by Trader Joe's, not IKEA.

I'm thinking we might have to go get one of those hams, although I still have a gift cert from last year for Honeybaked Ham that I need to use. Wonder if the Aldi hams freeze well.

They freeze fine... I usually have one in my freezer. My mom too. I even got my mother in law to switch to an Aldi ham vs. buying a Kroger spiral sliced ham.

The hams are a seasonal type item... They carry them around Thanksgiving, Xmas and Easter. So they are not always available.