Are ALDI and Trader Joe’s the same company?
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Next up in our irregular series of ALDI frequently asked questions: Does ALDI own Trader Joe’s?
Let’s unpack where this persistent belief even came from. On the way, we’ll also talk about all the related questions swirling around the issue of ownership, such as:
- How are ALDI and Trader Joe’s related?
- Do ALDI and Trader Joe’s carry the same products?
- Which is cheaper, ALDI or Trader Joe’s?
- Which is better, ALDI or Trader Joe’s?
So, are ALDI and Trader Joe’s owned by the same company?
ALDI does not own Trader Joe’s
Let’s get this out of the way right up front: ALDI does not own Trader Joe’s — and while we’re at it, Trader Joe’s does not own ALDI. So, how did this idea ever gain circulation in the first place?
How are ALDI and Trader Joe’s related?
All right, if neither company owns the other, are ALDI and Trader Joe’s brothers, or what? As with any good story, there is a kernel of truth at the beginning. 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 don’t share the same parent company, have no joint ownership, and are independently operated. But, the two stores do share a common family heritage.
The original ALDI (at the time, Albrecht Diskont) opened back in the early 1900s as a single German grocery store. Post WWII, ALDI expanded into one of the largest European grocery chains under the direction of the original owner’s two sons. But back in the 1960s, the brothers argued over whether to sell cigarettes in their stores — and eventually ended up splitting into two independent companies operating within separate geographical areas.
In Europe, Aldi Nord took over the grocery locations in northern Germany and a large chunk of Europe, while Aldi Süd took over those in southern Germany and several other European countries. In the U.S., Trader Joe’s has been owned by Aldi Nord since the late 1970s, while ALDI stores in the U.S. launched under the ownership of Aldi Süd in the mid-70s. The chains have always operated completely independently of one another, and have never shared joint ownership — so are maybe better referred to as distant cousins?
Do ALDI and Trader Joe’s carry the same products?
Do ALDI and Trader Joe’s carry the same products? Well, it depends. Sometimes, as in the case of everything bagel seasoning, each store carries a very similar product at a similar price point.
Sometimes, as in the case of this super-tempting everything but the elote seasoning, Trader Joe’s introduces a fun new product… and then we can only dream that ALDI eventually gets around to carrying it.
In cases where Trader Joe’s and ALDI do stock very similar products, Trader Joe’s will often have a larger variety. When it comes to natural chicken sausage, for instance, my local Trader Joe’s offers many more options than does the ALDI next door — including even a chicken breakfast sausage, which ALDI doesn’t carry.
Hope springs eternal, however: In the case of chicken sausage (as well as some other items), different flavor options will show up seasonally as a limited time special buy at ALDI, while at Trader Joe’s they’re regularly-stocked.
Let’s move on to wine, shall we? If you’re in a state that allows grocery stores to sell alcohol, there’s really not a lot of difference between the three buck Chuck at Trader Joe’s and the $2.95 Winking Owl at ALDI. You definitely, however, will find a much larger wine and beer section at Trader Joe’s, with a number of name brand (and fancier) options.
More importantly, Trader Joe’s also sells hard liquor — for those of you wanting to expand beyond wine and beer options.
Which is cheaper, ALDI or Trader Joe’s?
So which store is cheaper, ALDI or Trader Joe’s? Well, again: It depends — but ALDI tends to come out ahead overall. When it comes to grocery staples, ALDI generally has lower everyday prices. It doesn’t behoove me (or mooove me), for instance, to pay $1.20 more for a gallon of conventional whole milk at Trader Joe’s than at ALDI. The entire dairy section pretty much plays out this way:
- 8 oz cream cheese: $1.29 at ALDI, $1.69 at Trader Joe’s
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls: $2.39 at ALDI, $2.99 at Trader Joe’s
- 32 oz nonfat Greek yogurt: $3.45 at ALDI, $4.99 at Trader Joe’s
- 64 oz almond milk: $2.39 at ALDI, $2.69 at Trader Joe’s
Do be on the lookout for the occasional exception, though. 8 oz chocolate hummus, for instance, ran $1.99 at Trader Joe’s and $3.49 at ALDI.
This tends to be true of organic products as well, although in many cases the price differential isn’t as staggering (especially as prices have been creeping up at ALDI). A pound of organic grass fed 85/15 ground beef, for instance, ran $5.29 at my local ALDI and $5.99 at my local Trader Joe’s. 32 oz organic chicken broth cost $1.99 at Trader Joe’s, $1.89 at ALDI; organic canned beans were $.89 at ALDI, $.99 at Trader Joe’s.
Some items will run you about the same at both stores: Say, that everything bagel seasoning, or $.99 cards. When it comes to greeting cards, though, Trader Joe’s definitely wins on selection, but ALDI wins on quality — Their cards are larger, heavier duty, and overall nicer looking than those at Trader Joe’s.
Be sure you’re comparing ounce-to-ounce, too, since often package sizes will differ between the two stores. While at first glance it may appear that gluten free bread is more expensive at ALDI, theirs is a 20 oz loaf as opposed to Trader Joe’s 12 oz loaf. This breaks down to 27.5 cents per oz at ALDI, vs. 37.5 cents per oz at Trader Joe’s.
Note: These photos were all taken the same day, at an ALDI and a Trader Joe’s located close to each other in the same town. Note that at both chains prices can vary by store and region.
So which is better, ALDI or Trader Joe’s?
So which store is better, ALDI or Trader Joe’s? (You’re probably anticipating my “it depends” answer by now, right?!) It depends on your shopping habits, your priorities, and what you’re looking for.
- If you have dietary restrictions: ALDI products may be more affordable, but you’ll often find more variety at Trader Joe’s.
- If you are looking to save on everyday basics: Your cart will be cheaper at ALDI.
- If you’re looking for organic products: ALDI is overall cheaper; Trader Joe’s offers a bigger selection.
- If you’re looking for a quick shopping trip that minimizes decision fatigue, ALDI is your store of choice.
- If you’re looking for a shopping experience that offers multiple options, look at Trader Joe’s.
- If you’re looking for an ever-changing mix of products ranging from food to footwear to furniture, the ALDI Aisle of Shame will be your jam.
In a weird way, Trader Joe’s really shops like a huge ALDI Aisle of Shame: An entire dangerous store full of impulse buys. The free samples don’t help with that, either — although, sometimes those little complimentary cups of coffee can be a shopping lifesaver.
But, that’s exactly the seductive danger of Trader Joe’s. The whole store is artfully designed to suck you into wanting to hand over your money, from the whimsical signage and Fearless Flyer descriptions, to the cheerful and omnipresent staff, to the themed displays, to the ever-changing sample station.
Me, I like both stores
If you have both an ALDI and a Trader Joe’s in your neck of the woods, you’re so lucky! Look at this as a both/and rather than an either/or proposition. Personally, I shop ALDI most of the time, with only the occasional trip to Trader Joe’s for “fun” stuff and a few favorite products ALDI does not carry. (This Trader Joe’s Hatch Valley salsa, though…) It’s better for my wallet, and keeps Trader Joe’s a fresh and fun shopping experience.
What do you all think? Do you shop both ALDI and Trader Joe’s, and could you pick a favorite?
ALDI is my closest neighborhood grocery, which I love. I’m there several days a week. There are multiple ALDI in Birmingham but just one TJ. TJ is quite a ways away at a bit swanky mall, I don’t get there often at all. It seems to have a higher class clientele b/c of location. ALDI has all kinds of shoppers. I love ALDI, I don’t love TJ.
Yes the owners of TJ’s are snobs. I absolutely refuse to shop there because they will not put one in Prince Georges County Maryland. That county can easily afford to shop there but TJ’s is not interested.
I live in a working class town in New England, and we have a Trader Joe’s. Our other grocery stores are terrible.
A Trader Joe’s is being built in College Park. I’m sure there will be other locations in Prince George’s County as soon as they can find a location with a small enough parking lot, LOL
Uh, what? Yes, Aldi does own Trader Joe’s. They literally do have the same parent company. You yourself admitted this in the opening paragraphs so I don’t know why you seem dumbfounded by this rumour – it’s not a rumour, it’s a fact.
Aldi Nord owns Trader Joe’s and uses the Trader Joe’s name for store brand stuff in Germany – because they are owned by the same parent company with Aldi being the dominant brand. They’re not the same supermarkets because they have vastly different products and supply lines due to operating on different continents.
Aldi Süd does not own Trader Joe’s and is entirely differently operated.
So yes, Aldi Nord owns Trader Joe’s and uses their branding for store brand things because they are the parent.
Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd are separate.
Aldi Süd operates in the US and thus, has no connection to Trader Joe’s.
It’s that simple. This entire article is disingenuous and fairly pretentious in how it’s presented.
uh, what? you just echoed everything the author wrote in this article. they are NOT owned by the same company, they just have a shared lineage. completely different.
Dudette, listen…Gaz just explained it beautifully. Trader Joe’s IS owned by Aldi Nord. There is no Aldo. There only is Aldi Nord and Aldo S üd. So yes, Aldo (Aldi Nord) does own TJ.
That’s like saying Chevrolet, Buick and GMC are not owned by General Motors.
You have totally got yourself confused. There are two ALDI parent companies ALDI Nord and ALDI Sud as you say, and they are totally separate. businesses. ALDI Nord own Trader Joes, and ALDI Sud own ALDI. Therefore ALDI and Trader Joes are entirely separate companies not connected in any way
I think the point that the author is making is that the Aldi and TJ stores in the US are not the same company but they do have a common linage back to the original Aldi before the break up. The US Aldi stores are part of Aldi Sud and the TJ stores are part of Aldi Nord. There is no common ownership. That said, TJ is part of Aldi Nord so you can say that TJ is owned by Aldi Nord. But not part of the Aldi stores in the US.
At least someone makes sense in this thread – I do think the article headline is very misleading for that same reason, don’t put an article out and saying Aldi doesn’t own TJ, when indeed they do – your comment explains is best.
I am from Germany and it’s known that TJ is owned by the Albrecht family. I was very confused about the headline. And the article contradicts itself in these details. Aldi Nord and Süd Stores in Germany carry the exact same products and visual identity. Only some specials differ. So they might be different companies legally. But they operate as one.
Aldi Süd own Aldi in the US. Aldi Nord owns TJ in the US.
Deb and Gaz understood the reading.
I thought that the article CLEARLY stated everything. Maybe NOT pick apart the article without reading it THOROUGHLY first? Just a thought. I understood the difference. Seriously, pick a bigger fish to fry. I love ALDI.
The author explains the relationship perfectly and Brent condensed it beautifully. I love them both, Aldi for most everyday shopping and TJ for the many specialty items I enjoy, Thanks for the article.
Why not just say, “not the same company BUT related.”
It’s so much easier. They were ONCE the same company and split into two companies with the name North Aldi and South Aldi with the same origins in Germany.
Why is everyone repeating what the article said and acting like there is something to argue about?
👌😂😂😂😂😁❤️
There’s a difference between being owned by the same company and being owned by the same people. The latter includes the case where they are separately incorporated legal entities.
Why not just say; That they are Shirt tail relatives! 😁 That in my book should take care of it! Unless that picture needs to be drawn too! 😂
What did the Aldi family do during the Nazi era, Active support of non involved in poitics.
This was an interesting question.based on.a historical event. Makes me want to learn more. Thanks.
According to Wikipedia, the two “Aldi brothers” grew up in a rather poor family, the father being a coal miner and the mother having a small local grocery store.
The whole Aldi business started after 1945, so during the war, they definitely didn’t have any standing or voice to influence anything.
They were nothing but a working class family back then.
We don’t have Aldi in Oregon. I had never even heard of it until I traveled back East about 5 years ago. I love Trader Joe’s for cheese. Desserts, candy and some frozen and refrigerated items. But for dairy, except cheese, produce. Meat, Cereal. Supplements and Vitamins they are more expensive. I’m lucky I have a Kroger with.a good selection.of organics and some specialty items in the same shopping center .
So the author basically proves themselves wrong explaining that Aldi does indeed own Trader Joe’s after stating that upfront that it doesn’t . Ok, it’s Aldi Nord and not Aldi Süd. But it’s still the Aldi brand.
I’m from Portland but recently moved to the east this year and discovered Aldi. Kroger is the most expensive grocery store you could possibly shop at. It’s up there with Safeway and Freddie’s. What I do miss is WinCo, which I would put in the same low cost category as Aldi, just significantly larger and more variety.
In Columbia, MD we have Trader Joe’s, Aldi, Whole Foods and Lidl. Price and quality is best at Lidl. Smaller selection than TJ or Aldi…but Lidl is the best.
I don’t have a one sided like for any store example ( Kroger, Walmart,save a lot, meijer aldi ,etc.)BECAUSE I feel that if i could get a lot of groceries for just under $ 20 dollars th I’m doing something right. That I walk away paying only just $3.78. Like the after Christmas sale target has where you could fill your cart to the top, now regular price that would have been at least $100. Dollars but you only paid $32.69. Like I told my exboss one day that all the items I purchased would have costed at least $18 dollars but I paid only $3.78 cents or I put it $4. Dollars. Can go both ways you can get one item and spend $4 dollars for it or get a full bag or groceries and still spend the same amount of money on it. Oh by the way she DID like the idea of of getting more for your money.
Do and did just now! TJs in FL is a bit more of a demolition derby than a grocery experience (see below*). There is one TJ’s in TPA and one in STP however ALDI’s are everywhere, or nearly. TJ’s crisps are without equal anywhere but TESCO and their produce is superior to ALDI.
* Witnessed BMW SUV turning onto Azeele @ TJs from S. DM Hwy front Rt crashed by small red car s. bound, full airbag deployment in BMW dad leaped out to save Weein’ in rear affected side, TPA FD EMS on sight w/i seconds. … Enjoy your shopping trip to TJ’s.
Hint: Always use the Stonewall Jackson flanking maneuver at this or any TJs and stay safe … P L e e A S E!
Say what?? Who really cares? Shop where you want!
Personally, I don’t shop at either one. (Also I don’t shop at Amazon owned Whole Foods either.)
I was shopping in France at an Aldi and they were selling many trader joe’s branded items in Aldi.
I live closer to Aldi. I think TJ is a glorified Aldi with more pretentiousness about it. I love Aldi I just wished they weren’t so inconvienant. I usually shop Kroger’s just because its closer.