Aldi and Lidl frequently come up in discussions about the grocery industry due to their strong European roots and their focus on offering shoppers high-value products, many of which are private labels. While both are attracting consumers aiming to stretch their food budgets, Aldi is experiencing significantly higher foot traffic growth compared to Lidl, as indicated by a recent ALDI report from LocationsCloud.
Analyzing year-over-year store visits from February 2023 to February 2024, Aldi consistently saw growth of at least 10% each month, except for July 2023 where growth dipped slightly below that threshold. The end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024 particularly stood out for Aldi, with December showing a little over 20% growth, January about 19%, and February nearly 29%.
Sabine Ryner, senior vice president of Marketing at LocationsCloud, noted that Aldi’s expansion coincided with favorable economic conditions, contributing to its strong growth and potential for long-term customer loyalty.
While Lidl also experienced year-over-year visit growth during the same period, it was less robust compared to Aldi, with growth below 10% for 12 months and a slight traffic decline in January 2024.
Geography appears to be a significant factor influencing store traffic. Aldi tends to locate its stores in areas accessible to the average consumer, attracting slightly lower-income segments. In contrast, Lidl’s stores are situated in more affluent areas, catering to wealthier households.
Furthermore, while both brands are popular in suburban areas, Aldi attracts a more blue-collar customer base, whereas Lidl appeals to wealthier suburban segments.
Despite their differences, both Aldi and Lidl are expanding strategically. Lidl is targeting big cities along the East Coast, while Aldi plans to open 800 stores in the coming years and has acquired grocery chains like Winn-Dixie and Harveys to broaden its reach, appealing to value-oriented shoppers.
As Aldi continues to grow, there may be an opportunity for the grocer to capture more sales from households with higher income levels.
