ALDI, short for Albrecht Diskont (meaning “Albrecht Discount”), was founded by brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht in post-WWII Germany. They focused on affordable groceries, eliminating extras to keep costs low. In 1962, they renamed the chain ALDI,
A 1960 dispute over selling cigarettes split the company into ALDI Nord (which owns Trader Joe’s) and ALDI Süd.ALDI’s signature features—private-label products, a cart rental system, and a bring-your-own-bags policy—help keep prices low, staying true to the Albrechts’ original vision.
