The new ALDI store location in Conway has received a lot of buzz that is, frankly, exaggerated. The store opened Jan. 25, and its parking lot has been full since; however, there is not much separating this store from other grocery stores.
ALDI a lot smaller than one might expect, and while well-organized, there are not many options for groceries and household items. Sophomores Maddie Major and Caroline Wehrly said they stopped by ALDI to see if the store was truly all the rage; they, too, were unimpressed.
“The only thing I’ve really noticed is the lower prices on certain stuff,” Major said. “Obviously, there’s not as big of a selection.”
ALDI is best known for its smaller prices, however, as Major said, it is only noticeable on select items. Ingredient-type items, such as spices or canned foods, were almost all priced under $1. But, any pre-made foods or snacks, such as bags of chips or microwavable meals, were the same price as any other store. However, Wehrly said, “I think that the prices are a lot better than a lot of the local grocery stores.”
ALDI can lower prices on select items because the corporation sells off-brand products — not because it is willing to make less profit. Anyone can sell off-brand items for less.
The ALDI website stated the new location was “stocking our shelves with aisle after aisle of products you’ll love.” But when you walk into the store, the first eye-catching thing is the lack of shelves.
The store had pallets of items sitting on the sales floor, and the few shelves they did have just had items sitting in the boxes they were shipped in; this felt unprofessional, and something one wouldn’t expect to see in a popular grocery chain.
ALDI is itty-bitty compared to most of its competitors; it only has about 12 aisles worth of products, not including the produce and freezer sections. So, it is definitely not a convenient one-stop shop.
However, while tiny, the store still has the magical ability to feel open; even though quite a few people were checking out the new store, it did not feel overwhelmingly crowded. This is probably due to the wider aisles and the tall ceiling.
Located at 1272 S. Amity Road, ALDI is in a prime, bustling shopping center. It is in the same strip as Ross, Academy Sports, Ulta Beauty, Michael’s. Major said the store’s location is its most appealing feature.
Nevertheless, Conway has three Walmart locations and a Target that ALDI simply cannot compete with. So, while the store has some all-right qualities, its overall mediocrity is a bummer because it has been overhyped by its cult-like following.
Major said it best — “It’s nothing crazy to me, honestly.”