We Now Know the Day—Based on Where You Live—That Aldi's "Finds" Hit Stores
I know I'm not alone when I say that one of the best perks of shopping at Aldi is finding items I'd never thought I'd see in a grocery store—and at a rock-bottom price.
If you're a fan of the German-based discount retailer, you know two things: Some of their products sell for shockingly low prices (like a $20 slow cooker), and they can be gone in the blink of an eye—once they sell out, that's it. Most of those deals are part of Aldi's Finds section.
Stay up to date on what healthy means now.
The Finds section is delightfully random. You can find seasonal clothes and footwear, appliances, kitchenware, furniture, and beauty items. But, in grocery aisles, you can also find everything from fresh lamb to vegan frozen entrees as well.
Scott Patton, Aldi's vice president of corporate buying, says the reason that these items are sold in limited batches—and at such great prices—is because suppliers focus on producing the single best item they can, keeping costs low by not making multiple varieties of the same item itself. This month, for example, you'll find back-to-dorm products, including $7 ironing boards—there are two colors to choose from, and it is the only model available, which means the buying team can secure it for the shockingly low price.
Aldi recently invited Cooking Light to visit a newly remodeled store in St. Charles, Illinois. We had the chance to exclusively taste many of the new foods that Aldi will be rolling out, including ready-to-eat items that could make Aldi more of an everyday destination.
During my visit, Patton took time to show me the new and improved "Finds" section. We talked about some of the strangest items that have made it into stores—Aldi once sold chainsaws, and for under $30!
But more importantly, I had the chance to ask Patton when exactly new Aldi "Find" items arrive in stores.
Haven't shopped at Aldi yet? Learn more:
Both Patton and Joan Kavanaugh, another VP of corporate buying at Aldi, confirmed that many new Aldi "Finds" items arrive in stores on Wednesday mornings. For those who live in more rural locations where Aldi stores have special chains of distribution, however, there's a chance that your stores could be stocking limited-time promotions on Sunday.
The only way to confirm which of the two days your local Aldi offers new items is to visit the "Finds" section on Aldi's website, and to ask the team in your store.
Once an item in Aldi's "Finds" section sells out, it's gone forever—which is why it pays off to head to stores early on Wednesday (or Sunday) mornings. This especially true during the holiday season, when Aldi introduces a selection of gifts with prices that are almost too good to be true. This year, a line of enameled cast-iron cookware is set to hit Aldi stores in November at price points below $30.
If you ever miss out on an Aldi find that sells out fast, there may be hope for you yet: Patton says that Aldi's "Finds" program is the grocer's way of testing new items before adding them permanently to stores. While this is especially true for new edible items and groceries, there's always a chance that a must-have gadget will make its way back to the shelves once more.