Shoppers are flocking to low-cost supermarkets as basic food items are becoming more expensive.

Aldi, which has stores in Cambridge and Ely, was crowned the cheapest supermarket in the UK earlier this year.

In a survey carried out by The Grocer Magazine, it was revealed you could save 15 per cent on a trolley of everyday items at Aldi compared to its cheapest competitor Asda.

And according to the Birmingham Mail , the German retailer was named Meat and Fish Retailer of the Year at the SuperMeat and Fish Awards 2017.

Aldi is now the cheapest supermarket in the UK according to The Grocer Magazine

The bargain supermarket beat posher rivals such as Marks & Spencer and Morrisons on product quality.

Aldi also scooped a total of eight trophies for its upcoming Christmas ranges including its turkey. The Specially Selected Exquisite Rumburgh Farm Whole Turkey beat birds from Marks & Spencer which were 26 per cent more expensive.

It all sounds like a good reason to investigate what exactly Aldi has to offer - and what you need to know when shopping there.

Here's what we found on recent shopping trips to Aldi that you should bear in mind.

1. There's some unusual offers just inside the entrance

You can pick up great offers at Aldi



2. They do basic items in an Everyday Essentials range

If you just want cheap and standard food items and aren't bothered about brands or top quality, then the Everyday Essentials is for you. Among this range, there's a jar of jam for 28p and a jar of marmalade for 27p.

Everyday essentials range


3. But it's not all basic, they do posh stuff too

Who said Aldi didn't do posh food?



4. There's even a gluten-free range

Aldi caters for all diets



5. And dairy-free drinks

You can get dairy alternatives at Aldi


6. Along with the trendiest superfoods

For all the clean eaters out there

Flaxseed, linseed, pumpkin seeds, sesame and chia are the latest superfoods. They're full of essential nutrients and can be mixed into porridge, yoghurt or smoothies. New to Aldi is a linseed mix for £1.79 as well as superfood powders from the Funktional Foods range.


7. But watch out for the pricing displays

Check the product name against the pricing displays

In some parts of an Aldi store, the prices for items are not displayed directly underneath on the same shelf. Instead they are on the shelf above - and for top shelf items the prices are on a bar high over your head.



8. The range of sandwiches is pretty good

Aldi sandwiches



9. There's plenty of fresh fruit and veg

Fresh veg at Aldi


For instance, an Aldi cucumber was 44p, a huge sweet potato 57p, Iceberg lettuce 44p, a pack of courgettes 85p and a pack of onions 47p. Everytime we've visited it was being restocked while we were there, adding to the impression of freshness.

10. The Specialbuys section is a revelation and a temptation

Always wanted to learn the guitar? Pick one up at Aldi




11. You'll find familiar-looking chocolates with unfamiliar names

Chocolate bars at Aldi


Made by Dairyfine, they look pretty much the same and taste pretty much the same.

12. There's fewer toiletries but it's still enough

Toiletries at Aldi

You won't find the same large displays of toiletries and health and beauty products as in Tesco or Sainsbury's. Instead it's just one small section on one side of an aisle but it's still a decent selection suitable for most everyday needs.

Among the items, we found Colgate whitening toothpaste for 79p, handwash for 55p, hayfever tablets for 89p and a container of 50 high-strength cod liver oil capsules (with Vitamin D) for 99p.

13. Aldi do scan the shopping very fast - and this is how to cope with it

It's been pointed out before that the Aldi checkout staff scan your shopping at lightning speed - and you won't believe it until you see it.





Everything you need at Aldi

14. The checkout staff are the ones doing refunds as well

Bought the wrong size, got something faulty or unsuitable? There's no Customer Service desk like you might find at Tesco or Sainsbury's. After buying the wrong size in something we didn't really need anyway (we told you the Specialbuys section was a temptation), we went back.

Discovering there was no obvious place for returning goods or sorting out other problems, we asked a member of staff and it turns out that the checkout staff also do the exchanges and refunds.

The till worker looked astonished when we asked if they did indeed handle refunds - as though this happens everywhere - but she did have to get a final authorisation from a manager (so it held up the queue a bit).

We also had to step aside and fill in a form with our name and address while she starting scanning shopping for the next customer, but it was otherwise fairly painless. Just remember to go to the till if you also want to take something back.
