Who owns Trader Joes in USA?

Does Aldi own Trader Joe's? There has been a lot of speculation over the years about whether or not Aldi owns Trader Joe's. Some people believe that they are one and the same, while others think that Aldi is just a major investor in Trader Joe's. So, what is the truth?

Does Aldi own Trader Joe's?

Yes, Aldi Nord owns Trader Joe’s, but it is not the same Aldi chain that is familiar to shoppers in North America. The Albrecht Discount chain was founded by two brothers in Germany who later parted ways. Aldi Nord was formed as a result of that split, and it is this company that owns Trader Joe’s.

While the two chains share a common history, they are now separate entities with different ownership structures. Aldi Nord operates Trader Joe’s locations in the United States, while the Aldi chain familiar to North American shoppers is owned by Aldi Süd.

What is Trader Joe’s?

For many people, Trader Joe's is their go-to grocery store for everything from fresh produce to frozen meals. But what exactly is Trader Joe's? First opened in 1967 by founder Joe Coulombe in Pasadena, California, Trader Joe's is now a chain of over 530 stores nationwide.

The store specializes in offering affordable, high-quality food and household items. In addition to its own branded products, Trader Joe's also sells a variety of organic and natural foods. And with its convenient locations and friendly staff, it's no wonder that Trader Joe's has become so popular with shoppers across the country.

When did Aldi Nord become the owner of Trader Joe's?

People love Aldi, there's no doubt about that. It's a go-to grocery store for many people because of its low prices and great selection. What some people don't know, however, is when Aldi Nord took over Trader Joe's.

For those who are unfamiliar, Aldi Sud is a German company that expanded to the United States in 1976. Just three years later, in 1979, Aldi Nord had acquired Trader Joe's. The reason for this acquisition was most likely due to Aldi Nord wanting an entry point into the US market that wouldn't be confusing to shoppers (since there was already a chain with a similar name).

So, in 1979, the founder of Trader Joe's, Joe Coulombe, sold his business to Theo Albrecht, CEO of Aldi Nord. And the rest is history!

Is Trader Joe's and Aldi sell the same items?

Trader Joe's and Aldi are two popular grocery stores that offer low prices on a variety of items. While some people claim that Trader Joe's and Aldi US source their store-label products from some of the same wholesalers, the two stores do carry some similar items. In one example, it appears that Aldi might have copied Trader Joe's by offering a store brand version of a popular item.

However, overall, the two stores offer different experiences and a variety of unique items. Trader Joe's is known for its friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere, while Aldi is known for its no-frills approach. Ultimately, whether you shop at Trader Joe's or Aldi, you're sure to find great deals on the items you need.

Is Trader Joe's a Better Option than Aldi?

When it comes to stocking their shelves, both Aldi and Trader Joe's rely heavily on store-label goods. In fact, 90 percent of Aldi's stock is made up of store-brand items, while the same can be said for 80 percent of Trader Joe's products.

So how do the two compare in terms of quality? Well, in one key area Aldi seems to come out on top almost by default. And that's because Trader Joe's has developed a bit of a reputation for selling subpar produce.

In fact, a writer for thekitchn.com even dedicated an entire article to discussing the poor quality of TJ's fresh fruits and vegetables. In her blog, she discusses topics like produce over-packaging and bulk-bagging (which might result in food waste at home). Based on freshness, it appears that Aldi is the superior choice.

Does Trader Joe's & Aldi Food Come From China?

In recent years, there has been a growing trend of grocery store chains sourcing foods from China. This is often done in order to cut costs and offer cheaper prices to customers. However, this practice has come under fire in recent years, due to concerns about the quality of Chinese products.

As a result, many store chains, including Trader Joe's and Aldi, have moved to source their food from other countries. This change has been welcomed by many customers, who appreciate knowing that their food is coming from a reliable source.

However, it is important to note that not all products sourced from China are necessary of poor quality. In fact, many Chinese products are highly regarded for their excellent craftsmanship. Therefore, it is unfair to paint all Chinese products with the same brush.

Ultimately, it is up to the individual consumer to decide whether or not they feel comfortable purchasing food sourced from China.

Is Trader Joe's a natural food store?

Trader Joe's is a popular grocery store known for its affordable prices and unique items. Many people assume that because Trader Joe's offers a wide selection of healthy items, it is a natural food store. However, this is not the case. While Trader Joe's does sell some healthy items, it also sells a lot of processed junk food. 

In fact, many of the "healthy" items sold at Trader Joe's are actually quite unhealthy. For example, the store's roasted seaweed snacks are loaded with salt, and the almond butter contains more sugar than almonds. So, while Trader Joe's maybe a good place to buy some cheap groceries, it is not a natural food store.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Aldi and Trader Joe's are two popular grocery stores that offer low prices on a variety of items. While some people claim that Trader Joe's and Aldi US source their store-label products from some of the same wholesalers, the two stores do carry some similar items.

Overall, the two stores provide different experiences and a wide range of unique goods. Trader Joe's is renowned for its kind employees and warm atmosphere, whereas Aldi is known for its no-frills attitude. In the end, whether you shop at Trader Joe's or Aldi, you'll likely find amazing deals.

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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

Who owns Trader Joes in USA?

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?

Who owns Trader Joes in USA?

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?

Who owns Trader Joes in USA?

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.

Who owns Trader Joes in USA?

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.

Who owns Trader Joes in USA?

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.

Who owns Trader Joes in USA?

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?

Who owns Trader Joes in USA?

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.

Who owns Trader Joes in USA?

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.

Who owns Trader Joes in USA?

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.

Who owns Trader Joes in USA?

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?

Who owns Trader Joes in USA?

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.

Who owns Trader Joes in USA?

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

Who owns Trader Joes in USA?

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?