Move over, Walmart. There's a new supercheap grocer in town. South Florida, welcome Aldi -- the area's new low-priced supermarket -- which currently has several locations in Palm Beach and Broward counties, with more to come.
The discount grocer -- which along with Trader Joe's is owned by Germany's Albrecht family -- has opened about 1,300 U.S. stores in 32 states in the past few years. It's latest target: Florida, where it plans to open a total of 56 stores from Ocala to Miami. Today, Aldi sells a good selection of some of the nation's most commonly purchased grocery items, from toilet paper and paper towels to bottled water, eggs, milk, and bread.
That's good news for the South Florida work force, which will see hundreds of jobs thanks to several new stores slated to open in the coming months. In 2010, the chain opened its first store in Deerfield Beach, followed by stores in Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, and West Palm Beach.
So, just how low are the prices? On a recent trip to the new West Palm Beach store, a gallon of organic soy milk was going for $2.29, a dozen grade-A large eggs were $1.79, and vine-ripe tomatoes cost $1.30 per pound.
Cheap price points are mainly thanks to the chain's exclusive brands, which Aldi claims must meet or exceed the national name brands on taste and quality. The grocer also keeps prices down thanks to an open layout and minimal storage space, stocking items in piles -- no shelving or traditional aisle layouts -- while produce is placed in open crates. Customers are encouraged to bring their own bags or use spare cartons to pack groceries.
In Germany, the Aldi chain has been criticized for having poor employee relations and labor conditions. However, here in the U.S., the company promotes itself as "a model of fairness." In an official statement released for its Florida job initiative, Aldi claimed to offer employees "generous compensation" well above the industry standard, saying even part-time employees would receive full health insurance.
Interested in learning more? This week, Aldi will be recruiting tons of new staff members during two hiring events on Wednesday and Thursday for its new Palm Beach and Broward locations, with positions including cashiers, shift managers, and manager trainees. The hiring events are being organized in anticipation of the opening of new stores in Palm Springs, Hialeah, Deerfield, and Miami Gardens, each slated for January and February as the Aldi brand expands across South Florida. Applicants can apply in-person at the following times and locations:
Wednesday, January 15
Courtyard Marriott
1800 Centrepark Drive East
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
6 a.m. to 11 a.m.
3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
LaQuinta Inns & Suites
3701 N. University Drive
Coral Springs, FL 33065
6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
DoubleTree Hilton
711 NW 72nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33126
6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, January 16
Holiday Inn
1601 NW Courtyard Circle
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
6 a.m. to 11 a.m.
3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Holiday Inn Express
2540 Davie Road
Davie, FL 33317
3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Courtyard Marriott
14500 Hotel Road
Miramar, FL 33027
3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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