What Makes An Item An Aldi Finds Product?

Aldi is a grocery chain that prides itself on doing things differently, and the store's focus on private label goods is a big factor in its unique approach. Along with store-exclusive products that are frequently touted as better than their name-brand counterparts, the chain also offers a tantalizing selection of Aldi Finds, which are specialty goods located in a central aisle of the store (aka the Aisle of Shame), though food-based Aldi Finds may be situated elsewhere. Aldi introduces new Finds each week, which means the stock is constantly rotating. And because popular products sell out fast, shoppers are encouraged to act quickly if there's something they want to try.

When choosing products to be included in the Finds selection, Aldi takes an extremely careful approach. For instance, the store undertakes a rigorous testing process to evaluate the quality of new products before they're unleashed on the public. Aldi also utilizes a test kitchen, where store staff diligently review products. When it comes to prospective suppliers, the chain has a list of basic requirements that must be met before items will be sold in stores. First and foremost, Aldi asks that suppliers offer affordable products that meet the quality standards desired by Aldi fans. Additionally, the store insists on products being free from artificial ingredients and that manufacturing facilities have the proper certifications to show they meet the standards set by The Global Food Safety Initiative and Good Manufacturing Practices. 

The selection of tempting Aldi Finds makes shopping in the store a delight for customers, but satisfaction is only part of the picture. Aldi Finds are also a way for the chain to test new products, which may explain the speedy turnaround. When an item is popular, the store may feature it as a Find again. In some cases, Aldi Finds can work their way into the chain's regular lineup. This is precisely what happened to Benton's Jaffa Cakes, a one-time specialty product that can now be found at the chain year-round. 

While Aldi locations in the U.S. use a test kitchen to assist with product selection, stores in other countries invite consumers to try out new products for themselves. In Germany, shoppers can apply to be part of the Aldi Tester Club, a program that ships products direct to shoppers to get their feedback. Not only is the product free to the tester, but they also get to keep the remainder. Australia had a similar program, while Aldi U.K. once sought testers for its beauty products via TikTok. Aldi's customer-centered approach drives its process for selecting Finds, much to the delight of fans. And when it comes to scoring sought-after products, be sure to avoid common Aisle of Shame mistakes, like waiting too long to purchase a popular item and not staying abreast of new releases.