Additional Coverage:
- I took my grocery list to Aldi and Amazon. Prices were similarly cheap, but the latter left me especially impressed. (businessinsider.com)
From Aldi Diehard to Amazon Convert: One Shopper’s Surprising Journey to Online Groceries
Local shopper Savannah Born, a self-proclaimed Aldi loyalist, recently found herself in a grocery shopping predicament that forced her to confront her aversion to online delivery services. What she discovered might just change the way many budget-conscious consumers view Amazon’s burgeoning grocery offerings.
For years, Born has been a staunch advocate for Aldi, prizing its competitive prices above all else. “You’ll never find me at ritzy grocery stores like Fresh Thyme or Erewhon,” she stated, emphasizing her commitment to value. Similarly, the idea of online grocery delivery-from services like Instacart, Amazon Fresh, or Shipt-was a non-starter, deemed an unnecessary expense when a trip to Aldi was always an option.
However, a sudden (and thankfully, only “perceived”) flat tire left Born stranded at home, necessitating a dive into the world of online grocery shopping. Her initial trepidation quickly turned to surprise when she encountered Amazon’s new Grocery line, boasting hundreds of items for under $5.
A Head-to-Head Battle of the Budgets
Born meticulously compared her Amazon grocery haul, totaling $59.64, to a similar order at Aldi, which would have cost $52.85. The difference, a mere $6.79, was a revelation, especially considering the added convenience of home delivery. As a Prime member, Born also benefited from free shipping on her order.
Produce Prowess: A significant win for Amazon was the quality of its produce. Born, who usually meticulously sifts through store aisles for the “best” fruits and vegetables, was impressed.
Her $0.99 raspberries were “juicy,” and the bananas were perfectly ripe, a stark contrast to the often-green varieties found at Aldi. Furthermore, Amazon’s fresh vegetables, like wilt-free spinach and crisp romaine, appeared to be in superior condition.
While Amazon lists produce by weight, prices are predetermined, a system Born found to largely balance out despite minor discrepancies. She also lauded Amazon’s wider selection and the ability to purchase single units, reducing potential food waste.
Dairy Deliberations: Aldi maintained its reign in the Greek yogurt department, with its Friendly Farms nonfat Greek yogurt priced at an unbeatable $3.19 for 32 ounces. Amazon’s brand-name alternatives were pricier, and Born found Aldi’s version to be smoother and less sour. However, butter and shredded cheese prices were largely comparable across both retailers.
Frozen Favorites: Amazon took the lead in frozen vegetables. Its cauliflower rice, at $1.15 for 12 ounces, was cheaper than Aldi’s $1.49, and Born felt it offered more volume when cooked. Similarly, California veggie blends were a steal at $0.89 on Amazon, compared to $1.15 at Aldi.
Eggs, Bread, and Cereal: Aldi proved to be the clear winner for traditional eggs, offering a dozen for a mere $1.96 versus Amazon’s $4.19. However, for egg whites-a staple for Born-Amazon’s price was only $0.70 more, a difference she deemed acceptable.
Bread and bagels currently favor Aldi, particularly its $2 L’Oven Fresh cinnamon bagels, though Amazon has “not yet released” bagels listed for a competitive $1.99, hinting at future competition. In a surprising twist, name-brand cereal was a significant bargain on Amazon, with a 12-ounce box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch costing $1.96, compared to $3.16 at Aldi.
Meat Matters: For ground beef, Aldi offered both regular and grass-fed varieties at lower prices. While Born appreciated Amazon’s convenient 1-pound packaging, Aldi’s price point for grass-fed beef was particularly compelling.
The Verdict: A Hybrid Shopping Approach
Born’s experience highlights the growing viability of online grocery shopping for budget-conscious consumers, especially Prime members who benefit from free shipping on orders over $25. While a Prime membership costs $139 annually, Born notes she would pay for it regardless due to its other benefits. Non-Prime members, however, would face a $12.99 delivery fee, potentially negating savings.
Ultimately, Born has decided to shift her primary grocery shopping to Amazon, citing the cost-effectiveness of free shipping (saving gas money) and competitive prices. The convenience of groceries arriving at her doorstep “in peak condition, and in just a few hours” felt like “a life hack.”
However, she’s not abandoning Aldi entirely. Certain items-Greek yogurt, bagels, egg whites, and grass-fed ground beef-remain Aldi staples.
She also admitted a fondness for “the chaotic aisles that somehow feel like home.” Born plans to make the 15-minute trek to Aldi once or twice a month for these specific items, while Amazon will handle the rest, with a strong focus on its new budget-friendly line.