If you’ve ever shopped in an ALDI store, you know about their many stellar low-cost grocery items. The grocery retailer is known for offering a simple shopping atmosphere with economical grocery options. There’s even a Facebook group dedicated solely to those who love shopping at ALDI, sharing their finds, and connecting with others who also shop there. If you haven’t stopped in an ALDI but are curious about it, then take this as your cue to plan a trip, and we have the best tips to help you prepare for your trip. Even Southern Living Editors frequent their nearby ALDIfor favorite food items, from an amazing cheese selection to quick, easy weeknight meals.

As an avid ALDI shopper, I shop weekly for snacks for the pantry, grocery staples such as eggs and milk, and simple appetizers for entertaining. I’ve also found that there’s more to ALDI than just groceries, though. Each time I stop in, I always make a point to stroll down the “Middle Aisle,” which is most times chock full of a variety of home items. Also known as the “ALDI Aisle of Shame”—why it’s been dubbed the “Aisle of Shame” is beyond me because I have zero shame about saving on these items at ALDI—this aisle is stocked with a variety of home items, including seasonal home decor, cabinet and drawer organizers, kitchen gadgets, cookware, bakeware, gardening tools, cleaning tools, and candles. 

What Exactly Is On The Middle Aisle?

The middle aisle is updated with home deals and steals each week, also known as ALDI Finds. Although the categories of items change from week to week, typically, employees stock this aisle with a variety of useful items. You might find placemats, tablecloths, small appliances, cookware, and bakeware one week, then encounter cabinet and drawer organizers, garden items, and outdoor tools the following week. Items on this aisle are deeply discounted compared to other big box retailers and Amazon. 

What Do You Buy On The Middle Aisle?

I love the home items I’ve found that I’ve given to family members as gifts including a large wooden dough-bowl filled candle, an outdoor tabletop citronella oil lamp, and recently, a tiny candle pumpkin set. I’ve found a bamboo scrubbing brush with a twine loop on the end (it actually looks nice so I leave it out for convenience) that I hang on my bathtub faucet for cleaning the tub. I’ve also decluttered and reorganized my laundry room shelf with acrylic tubs and turntables, all purchased at ALDI for a fraction of the cost at other retailers. 

Where Is The Middle Aisle?

The middle aisle—located somewhere in the middle of the store—although it seems evident where it is, might be a challenge to find at first if you’ve never visited an ALDI store. In my local ALDI, the middle aisle is located just one aisle over from the dairy and frozen aisles and behind the very front aisles in the store, so it’s not precisely in the very center of the store. Each ALDI store’s layout varies, though, so be sure to wander up and down all the aisles to locate this weekly deals aisle since it might be off-center inside the store. Also, look for signs located near the end caps of the grocery store aisles, which can serve as a marker that you’re on the right aisle. Rest assured, you will know you have landed in the right spot when you see an entire aisle dedicated to organization products, candles, cookware, or seasonal decor and gifts. 

How Do You Prepare?

ALDI updates their website each Wednesday morning to reflect the weekly home finds, and you can see all the deals, including grocery and home items, under the “This Week’s ALDI Finds” tab on their website. Take a look before you head into the store to see if anything stands out as a good buy. Additionally, you can search ahead for the next week’s ad by looking at the “Upcoming ALDI Finds” tab on their website. 

When Is The Best Time To Shop?

I love to take a trip on Wednesdays if I can. My local store opens at 9 AM, and although employees might still be stocking the shelves in the middle aisle if arrive at opening time, you’re more likely to snag what you need by going as soon as items are stocked or as close to that time as possible. I’ve noticed in the stores local to me that home items are stocked on Wednesday, but understand that some items go fast, especially during the holiday season. It’s likely that fan-favorite seasonal items will return, so it’s important to know what will be coming and how to shop to prepare for the best deals. Bookmark the ALDI Weekly Finds link and the Upcoming ALDI Finds for the week ahead. 

Don’t Forget These Two Things

You will want to know certain things before you shop at ALDI for the first time plus mistakes to avoid when shopping at ALDI. First, be sure that you have a quarter because you need it to retrieve your shopping cart. Second, don’t forget your reusable shopping bags. If you don’t have a reusable shopping bag, they offer the option of purchasing paper bags or a reusable ALDI shopping bag near the checkout line. Remember to return your cart to retrieve your quarter. After all, you’ll need it for next ALDI shopping experience.