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We visited an Aldi store in the US and the UK to find out what you can buy for $25https://www.businessinsider.in/retail/news/we-visited-an-aldi-store-in-the-us-and-the-uk-to-find-out-what-you-can-buy-for-25/slidelist/93540120.cms2022-08-13T15:50:22+05:30

We visited an Aldi store in the US and the UK to find out what you can buy for $25

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Mary Meisenzahl,Sam TabahritiAug 13, 2022, 15:50 IST

We visited an Aldi store in the US and the UK to find out what you can buy for $25 — Insider
Inflation and supply chain issues are pushing up the price of groceries around the world.
Aldi has thousands of stores in the US and UK offering some of the lowest grocery prices.

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Groceries are becoming more expensive around the world due to inflation and rising commodity costs.

Groceries are becoming more expensive around the world due to inflation and rising commodity costs. — Daniel Goodman

Basics that many people rely on such as milk, eggs, and chicken have been hit particularly hard.

Basics that many people rely on such as milk, eggs, and chicken have been hit particularly hard. — Debanjali Bose/Insider

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We visited Aldi store in the US and the UK to see how many basic groceries we could purchase for $25 in each country.

We visited Aldi store in the US and the UK to see how many basic groceries we could purchase for $25 in each country. — Stephen Zenner/Getty Images.

Aldi has more than 2,000 US stores in 36 states, and is known for being a budget grocer with affordable private label brands.

Aldi has more than 2,000 US stores in 36 states, and is known for being a budget grocer with affordable private label brands. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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I set out to get as much from my list as I could, though I knew I'd probably have to make some cuts.

I set out to get as much from my list as I could, though I knew I'd probably have to make some cuts. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Strawberries were appealing, but they didn't end up fitting the budget so I left them on the shelf.

Strawberries were appealing, but they didn't end up fitting the budget so I left them on the shelf. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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It would have been cheaper to buy a gallon of milk, but I live in a two person household and know it would go to waste, so I went with a half gallon instead, which was still well priced compared to other stores in my area.

It would have been cheaper to buy a gallon of milk, but I live in a two person household and know it would go to waste, so I went with a half gallon instead, which was still well priced compared to other stores in my area. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I don't usually buy organic greens, but that's all Aldi had when I shopped, so I spent a bit more here than I'd anticipated.

I don't usually buy organic greens, but that's all Aldi had when I shopped, so I spent a bit more here than I'd anticipated. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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Aldi meat is generally cheaper than other grocery stores in my area, but the large quantities of chicken breasts and thighs would still have blown my budget.

Aldi meat is generally cheaper than other grocery stores in my area, but the large quantities of chicken breasts and thighs would still have blown my budget. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I was able to get two bags of groceries and a case of Aldi private label brand seltzer for just under $25.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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It was certainly not a massive haul, but it aligned with most of the basics I'd typically buy.

It was certainly not a massive haul, but it aligned with most of the basics I'd typically buy. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I ended up with ground turkey, because I couldn't find ground beef and chicken came in quantities too large for my budget.

I ended up with ground turkey, because I couldn't find ground beef and chicken came in quantities too large for my budget. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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I was able to get a box of pasta and a jar of pasta sauce for just under $3 all up.

I was able to get a box of pasta and a jar of pasta sauce for just under $3 all up. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I think the ground turkey, plus pasta and sauce could make a few hearty meals with a meat sauce or meatballs.

I think the ground turkey, plus pasta and sauce could make a few hearty meals with a meat sauce or meatballs. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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It wasn't an absolute necessity, but I love to have cans of seltzer to drink when I'm working. They were $3.79 compared with almost $5 for La Croix.

It wasn't an absolute necessity, but I love to have cans of seltzer to drink when I'm working. They were $3.79 compared with almost $5 for La Croix. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I spent $1.99 on pretzels for something to snack on.

I spent $1.99 on pretzels for something to snack on. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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All together, this is what $25 can buy at Aldi in the Rochester, New York area.

All together, this is what $25 can buy at Aldi in the Rochester, New York area. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It's definitely enough food to make multiple meals, but that's only possible because I already have spices, cooking oils, cheese and other basics at home.

It's definitely enough food to make multiple meals, but that's only possible because I already have spices, cooking oils, cheese and other basics at home. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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Realistically, I could easily go back to Aldi and spend another $50 or more to really fill out my standard shopping list for the week.

Realistically, I could easily go back to Aldi and spend another $50 or more to really fill out my standard shopping list for the week. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

We went to an Aldi Local near Insider's London office at Old Street, not too far from Kings Cross.

We went to an Aldi Local near Insider's London office at Old Street, not too far from Kings Cross. — Sam Tabahriti/Insider

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Aldi has close to 1,000 UK stores. As a student, I used to shop at a much bigger store than this one, which is the company's smaller convenience-focused store format.

Aldi has close to 1,000 UK stores. As a student, I used to shop at a much bigger store than this one, which is the company's smaller convenience-focused store format. — Sam Tabahriti/Insider

As I knew I had $25 (£20.60) to spend, I had to be smart about what I would pick.

As I knew I had $25 (£20.60) to spend, I had to be smart about what I would pick. — Sam Tabahriti/Insider

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I wanted some fresh produce. There wasn't much left when I visited at about 5pm, so I bought some tomatoes, mushrooms, and mixed peppers.

I wanted some fresh produce. There wasn't much left when I visited at about 5pm, so I bought some tomatoes, mushrooms, and mixed peppers. — Sam Tabahriti/Insider

I normally opt for frozen chicken breasts they are cheaper, but this store only carried fresh options.

I normally opt for frozen chicken breasts they are cheaper, but this store only carried fresh options. — Sam Tabahriti/Insider

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They were on special, albeit only 16 pence cheaper than normal, so into my basket they went.

They were on special, albeit only 16 pence cheaper than normal, so into my basket they went. — Sam Tabahriti/Insider

I searched for an alternative to milk as I'm intolerant to dairy products, but it didn't have any plant-based options.

I searched for an alternative to milk as I'm intolerant to dairy products, but it didn't have any plant-based options. — Sam Tabahriti/Insider

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I am not a big fan of mince, but I thought I could make a nice bolognese, so I bought a 250 gram pack that only had 5% fat and cost £1.89 ($2.30).

I am not a big fan of mince, but I thought I could make a nice bolognese, so I bought a 250 gram pack that only had 5% fat and cost £1.89 ($2.30). — Sam Tabahriti/Insider

I don't have much of a sweet tooth so I decided to get some plain salted potato chips. A pack of six small bags cost 79 pence, or about $1.

I don't have much of a sweet tooth so I decided to get some plain salted potato chips. A pack of six small bags cost 79 pence, or about $1. — Sam Tabahriti/Insider

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The lack of plant-based milk alternative meant I had enough for a "treat" in the form of a frozen Margherita pizza. However, this was £1.09 ($1.30) and I had previously found pizza costing as little as 49 pence (60 cents) in other Aldi stores.

The lack of plant-based milk alternative meant I had enough for a "treat" in the form of a frozen Margherita pizza. However, this was £1.09 ($1.30) and I had previously found pizza costing as little as 49 pence (60 cents) in other Aldi stores. — Sam Tabahriti/Insider

I grabbed a 2-liter bottle of Aldi lemonade, which cost 43 pence, or about 50 cents. I then headed to the checkout.

I grabbed a 2-liter bottle of Aldi lemonade, which cost 43 pence, or about 50 cents. I then headed to the checkout. — Sam Tabahriti/Insider

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I had kept track of the cost on my phone to avoid going over my budget. The bill £20.30, so I had a few pence to spare.

I had kept track of the cost on my phone to avoid going over my budget. The bill £20.30, so I had a few pence to spare. — Sam Tabahriti/Insider

This is what $25 (£20.60) buys at Aldi in Old Street, London.

This is what $25 (£20.60) buys at Aldi in Old Street, London. — Sam Tabahriti/Insider

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Overall, I don't think this was near enough and certainly not what I would normally spend. I usually allow myself £100 (£120) a month for groceries excluding ad-hoc trips for cravings.

Overall, I don't think this was near enough and certainly not what I would normally spend. I usually allow myself £100 (£120) a month for groceries excluding ad-hoc trips for cravings. — Sam Tabahriti/Insider

In both countries, Aldi remains a good choice for budget essentials, even if they're more expensive now than a few months ago.

In both countries, Aldi remains a good choice for budget essentials, even if they're more expensive now than a few months ago. — Peter Nicholls/Reuters

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As an American, I was surprised and a bit jealous to find out about some of the low prices in the UK.

As an American, I was surprised and a bit jealous to find out about some of the low prices in the UK. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Though I felt like I was getting a good deal compared to other grocery stores, I don't think there are many things I could buy under $1 here besides maybe some canned food.

Though I felt like I was getting a good deal compared to other grocery stores, I don't think there are many things I could buy under $1 here besides maybe some canned food. — Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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Even if it's not quite as cheap as the UK, I'm definitely going to keep shopping at Aldi.

Even if it's not quite as cheap as the UK, I'm definitely going to keep shopping at Aldi. — Beth Hall/AP Images for Weber Shandwick for Aldi
Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.

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