Aldi on the move

Groceries in the news: “Low-cost grocery chain Aldi says it plans to add more stores in the U.S. over the next five years, meaning more competition for traditional grocers, Walmart and organics-focused chains like Whole Foods.” Now: 1,650 stores. By the end of 2018: 2,000. By the end of 2022: 2,500.

Aldi is a great source for all manner of grocery items. The prices are low and the quality is high. Avocados: sometimes a dollar less than other stores. Kalamata olives: a couple of dollars cheaper than other stores, and just as good. Pistachios: way cheaper than elsewhere. The store sometimes has great, inexpensive surprises in wine — those bottles disappear quickly. And you get to use a “trolley coin” every time you shop.

If you’re squeamish about shopping in a store-brand supermarket, you can tell yourself that Aldi Nord, owner of Trader Joe’s, and Aldi Süd, owner of Aldi, are sister companies. Which is the truth.