If you‘re a bargain hunter always on the lookout for the best grocery deals, you‘ve likely wondered: does Aldi take coupons? With their remarkably low prices and high-quality private label goods, redeeming a coupon at Aldi almost sounds too good to be true.
As The Penny Hoarder‘s resident retail expert and professional cheap-skate, I dug deep into Aldi‘s coupon policies and pricing strategies. My goal was to uncover exactly how this no-frills German grocer keeps costs so low and whether couponing could sweeten the deal even further.
The short answer is no, Aldi does not accept manufacturer coupons, and they rarely offer store coupons. However, that doesn‘t mean you can‘t get amazing bargains at Aldi. In fact, I‘d argue that in many cases, you‘re better off shopping at Aldi without coupons than playing the couponing game elsewhere.
Let‘s take a closer look at why Aldi doesn‘t do coupons and the secret ways you can still save big bucks on your grocery hauls. Trust me, you‘ll never miss clipping coupons again.
Why Doesn‘t Aldi Accept Manufacturer Coupons?
According to Aldi‘s corporate website, they don‘t accept manufacturer coupons because they "offer such low prices that even with a manufacturer coupon, [their] regular price is still a better value." Ouch, shots fired!
They‘re not wrong though. A 2019 price comparison by Consumer Reports found that Aldi beat Walmart at offering the lowest prices on staples like canned goods, eggs, and produce. We‘re talking discounts up to 50% less than traditional supermarkets. With prices that low out the gate, manufacturer coupons would almost seem like double-dipping.
How does Aldi undercut the competition so drastically? It all comes down to their uber-efficient business model:
- 90% of products are private-label rather than brand name. This gives Aldi leverage to get lower prices from suppliers.
- Stores are small, no-frills, and easy to navigate. Less square footage equals fewer overhead costs.
- Shoppers bag their own groceries and pay a quarter deposit for carts. This reduces labor costs.
- Fewer staff on the floor and stocking shelves. Again, lower labor costs.
- Items are often still in their shipping boxes. No time wasted unboxing.
With operational costs cut to the bone, Aldi can afford to keep prices low for shoppers like you and me. Who needs a 50 cent coupon when the products are already dollars cheaper than other stores?
Does Aldi Ever Offer Store Coupons?
On rare occasions, Aldi will release a store coupon for a special promotion or to celebrate a new store opening. We‘re talking once in a blue moon. Don‘t wait on bated breath for these unicorn coupons.
If Aldi does have a coupon available in your area, it will likely come in the mail or be available to pick up in-store. Sometimes they partner with Instacart to offer a modest discount off a minimum purchase for grocery delivery.
One important caveat – Aldi coupons are only redeemable at the specific location(s) listed and cannot be used past the expiration date. If you happen to get your hands on a rare Aldi coupon, use it or lose it. No exceptions.
5 Simple Ways to Save at Aldi Without Coupons
Even though you can‘t stack coupons at Aldi, there are still plenty of hacks to trim your grocery bill. Aldi offers new promotions and sales every week, which savvy shoppers capitalize on to save some serious dough.
Here are my top 5 tips for deal-hunting at Aldi:
1. Shop Aldi Finds for Deep Discounts
Every week Aldi introduces a new crop of limited-time specialty items called Aldi Finds. These unique seasonal goods range from exotic cheeses to camping gear to self-care products. You can even score beer and wine on deep discount as an Aldi Find!
Aldi Finds are available at up to 50% off their usual retail price, but once they‘re gone, they‘re gone. If you see an Aldi Find that strikes your fancy, snag it before it sells out. Some of the most popular Finds fly off shelves within hours.
2. Load Up During Weekly Fresh Meat & Produce Deals
Each Wednesday, Aldi drops prices even further on select meat and produce as part of their weekly Fresh Meat Specials & Produce Picks promotions. Past offerings included 69-cent avocados, 39-cent spaghetti squash, and $1.49/lb family packs of chicken breast.
Meat and produce deals vary by region and season, but you can preview them in the Aldi weekly ad to plan your shopping accordingly. I always check for deals on pricier proteins to really maximize my savings.
3. Hunt for Surprise Price Cuts
Beyond the advertised Aldi Finds and weekly deals, most Aldi stores have a section for surprise price cuts on last chance items. Look for shelf tags reading "Reduced for Quick Sale" or "Last Chance Special Buy."
Stores slash prices to move inventory fast, so discounts can be substantial. However, supplies are extremely limited and unreliable. You never know what you may find on an Aldi price cut shelf, so embrace the thrill of the bargain hunt.
4. Take Advantage of The Double Guarantee
Did you know Aldi will replace and refund any of their private-label products if you‘re not 100% satisfied? They call this policy the Twice as Nice Guarantee. If an Aldi brand item fails to meet your expectations, just return the packaging to the store manager for your money back AND a replacement product.
Generous policies like the Double Guarantee are Aldi‘s way of assuring customers that their private-label goods really do stack up to brand names, even at a lower cost. If you ever feel like you‘ve compromised on quality for price at Aldi, put them to the test.
5. Pay With The Right Credit Card
While not an Aldi-specific hack, you can further compound your savings by using a cash back credit card that rewards you for grocery purchases. Many cards offer between 1-5% cash back on groceries depending on the retailer.
Some of my favorite grocery reward cards include the Blue Cash Preferred from American Express (6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets) and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa (5% back at Whole Foods). Always pay your statement balance in full each month though, or else interest fees will eat your savings.
How to Plan Your Aldi Bargain Shopping
Part of being an Aldi deal hound is planning ahead. Unlike traditional supermarkets, Aldi refreshes their deals on a set weekly schedule:
- Sundays: New Weekly Ad prices and Aldi Finds are released
- Wednesdays: Fresh Meat & Produce Picks of the Week begin
Aldi publishes their upcoming deals at the start of each month, so you can preview which items will be on sale when. Print ads are available in-store and online. Many dedicated Aldi shoppers will hit the store on Wednesdays to snag both the new produce deals and last chance Aldi Finds in one trip.
When you‘re working with a lean budget, it pays to be strategic about when to do your shopping. Aldi makes it easy to plan your grocery hauls around whatever promotions excite you most.
Beware Of Fake Aldi Coupons Online
While browsing Facebook for a recipe, an Aldi coupon offering $100 off your next purchase pops up in your feed. Score, right? Not so fast. Aldi coupons that circulate online are unfortunately nothing more than a scam.
Remember, Aldi only offers physical coupons for specific locations on a very limited basis. Anything you see online promising deep discounts or free merchandise from Aldi is simply too good to be true. Heck, even their official Facebook page confirms it‘s fake.
Don‘t waste your time printing a bogus coupon only to get to the checkout line and be denied. Aldi will never honor fraudulent coupons, nor should you expect them to. Stick to their official weekly ads for authentic deals.
The Bottom Line: You Don‘t Need Coupons To Save At Aldi
Let‘s recap what we learned:
- Aldi does not accept manufacturer coupons
- Aldi rarely offers store coupons and if so only for specific stores/dates
- You can still get jaw-dropping deals at Aldi by shopping their weekly promotions
- Always check for Aldi Finds, Weekly Fresh Meat & Produce Picks, and surprise price cuts
- Plan your shopping around the weekly Aldi deals schedule
- Don‘t fall for fake Aldi coupons spread online
Ultimately, Aldi‘s commitment to everyday low prices means you don‘t need to fuss with coupons to get great value. By running a lean operation and leveraging private-label products, Aldi passes immense savings onto shoppers from the start.
In my experience, it‘s hard to beat Aldi prices even with coupons for brand-name goods elsewhere. Factor in the time and energy it takes to clip and organize coupons, and the savings often fail to justify the effort.
Instead of chasing coupons, embrace Aldi‘s simple approach to bargain shopping. With a keen eye for their weekly deals and a willingness to try private label products, you can keep your pantry stocked on a tight budget – no scissors required.
So the next time Aldi tempts you with a 100-pack of frozen pizza rolls for $2.99 or a rain barrel as an Aldi Find, go ahead and treat yourself. As long as you stick to your grocery list and snap up the weekly deals, you‘re winning at the Aldi game.
