Does Aldi Offer Grocery Pickup For Customers?

It's hard not to appreciate Aldi. Its shopping carts may require a quarter to use, which isn't always the most convenient, but you can't beat its selection of high-quality, private-label groceries — yes, the lack of brand name products is by design. Best of all, Aldi has rock-bottom prices. But what if you don't have the time or energy to shop your nearest Aldi store for all your food needs? Does Aldi, by chance, offer grocery pickup or delivery? 

Happily, the answer is yes. Aldi is rapidly expanding its grocery pickup program, which is currently offered at roughly 1,500 of its locations. Meanwhile, a full 98% of its locations offer delivery through a partnership with Instacart.

Whether you're stocking up on competitively-priced meats or some of Aldi's chocolate bars (which are among the best in the biz), it's nice to know you can conveniently and easily place a grocery order through your Aldi app. Both pickup and delivery have a lot going for them, including the ability to stick to a shopping budget by adding or removing items judiciously while also being able to browse the store's selection without jostling other shoppers for cart space. The only downside to Aldi's pickup options is you'll likely pay more for the privilege.

Placing your grocery order on the Aldi app is a similar process to services offered by Walmart and other supermarket competitors. Once your order is ready, simply pull into one of the pickup parking spots (which are designated with blue signs) and an employee will bring your order out to you. The authorization charge on your payment will be a bit higher than your total to account for any variance in the weight of items like meats or produce and also to cover bag fees. 

Hidden in Aldi's FAQ is the line that, "prices online may vary slightly from in-store prices in your area." In other words, you may not be getting the absolute lowest prices on your pickup items. Aldi also reserves the right to charge a service fee to cover the costs associated with fulfilling your order. Don't worry about tipping your pickup associate, however, as tips are not accepted.

As for delivery, you're probably familiar with the process if you've used Instacart before. Again, prices are often higher when ordering through the third-party app — and that's on top of any membership fees from Instacart. It's also customary to tip your shopper. With all that said, sometimes it's just not convenient (or even possible) to leave the house. It's nice to know that, when life is hectic, you can still get your Aldi grocery favorites without having to go to the store.