What is Aldi like in Germany? Here's what it's like in the USA!

Hi everyone!

I’ve always been curious about what Aldi is like in its home country, Germany. Here in the USA, Aldi is a hidden gem for those of us who love saving money on groceries. They bring tremendous value with their low prices and surprisingly good quality products (seriously, some of the Aldi-exclusive brands are just as good, if not better, than name brands!).

That said, the shopping experience is a bit different from most other grocery stores in the U.S. For example:

You have to pay a quarter (25 cents) to unlock a shopping cart, but you get it back when you return the cart.

They don’t provide free bags—you either bring your own, buy them, or carry your groceries loose (not that fun, trust me!).

You have to bag your own groceries, which can feel chaotic but also speeds up the checkout line.

I’ve heard that Aldi in Germany is quite different (or maybe it’s not?). Do you also pay for carts and bags there? Are the products and prices similar?

Would love to hear about your experiences!