Aldi USA, which operates nearly 2,700 stores across the country, announced it is investing USD 86 million (EUR 77 million) to lower costs for customers this fall.
“Customers trust us to help them make the most of their grocery budget, and we never stop looking for ways to run our business more efficiently so we can pass along savings. As shoppers head into fall routines and healthier habits, we're making additional investments to lower prices on our better-for-you favorites, building on the value customers already see throughout our stores,” Aldi Chief Commercial Officer Scott Patton said in a release.
After the cost-savings initiatives are fully implemented, nearly one-third of the everyday in-store assortment at Aldi will be priced lower than last year, including several seafood products.
“This fall, Aldi shoppers can find lower prices on a number of frozen seafood products compared to last year, including Fremont Fish Market Jumbo EZ Peel Raw Shrimp, Fremont Fish Market Value Pack Tilapia, and Frozen Argentine Red Shrimp, as well as Specially Selected Mussels,” an Aldi spokesperson told SeafoodSource.
Regional seafood items also undergoing price reductions include Aldi Seafood Boil, Fremont Fish Market Whiting Fish Fillets, and Boudreaux’s Frozen Crawfish Tail Meat.
“These everyday low prices make it easier for shoppers to add a variety of seafood favorites to the table at an even better value,” the spokesperson said.
In addition to lowering prices on seafood products, Aldi also announced it plans to roll out new offerings, including Spicy Tuna and Beef Bulgogi Kimbap, which will be available in all stores by mid-October, followed by Breaded and Parmesan Flounder in November and Specially Selected Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi in December, both of which will be available in select stores.
Aldi is the latest grocer to lower food prices this year to appeal to cash-strapped shoppers.
For instance, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Giant Eagle all lowered prices on a number of seafood and other grocery products over the summer.
These moves come as U.S. consumers have faced inflation concerns all year, causing continued consumer wariness.
According to a recent survey, 60 percent of consumers said they are spending more on groceries than last year, and 70 percent said their income is falling behind inflation, FMI Vice President of Tax, Trade, Sustainability, and Policy Development Andy Harig said during a media briefing last month.
“With energy prices high and the recent interest-rate hike adding pressure, high-income consumers are pulling back selectively, trading stores and sometimes brands to find value, while low-income consumers have largely already made those adjustments, making restaurants a likely next area for reduced spending,” Numerator added in a recent release.
