The Real Reason Aldi Doesn't Play Music in Their Stores

Stocked with everyday pantry staples and unique specialty items alike, Aldi is a fan favorite for stocking up the kitchen on a budget. If you’ve ever shopped at the discount grocer, then you’ve probably noticed some of the store’s quirks, including their $0.25 cart deposit system and the absence of shopping bags. But you may not have picked up on another interesting detail: Aldi doesn’t play music like other stores do!

How Aldi’s No-Frills Approach Helps Us All Save Money 

The choice to keep the store quiet may seem a little odd, or even inhospitable, but it’s actually quite strategic. Businesses pay to have music playing overhead, and because Aldi is all about keeping prices super low — so customers like us keep coming back — the company intentionally doesn’t spend money on this service.

That’s not the only component contributing to Aldi’s low prices. The cart rental system encourages people to put their own carts back, which means the store doesn’t need to hire an employee to do the same job (plus, carts are less likely to go missing).

Customers bringing their own bags or using Aldi’s extra cardboard boxes to carry out groceries also saves the store money, which means they don’t have to hike up prices on produce or canned goods to make up for it. And no employees are needed to bag groceries, either!

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Where Are the Name Brands?

The specific groceries carried by Aldi also play a role in the more affordable prices. Rather than the well-known name brands you see at other retailers, Aldi primarily stocks private label products, which means they don’t have to go through another company to order the groceries (and said groceries are often cheaper).

Any brand names you do see in Aldi aisles are usually overstock, so they’re sold at a lower price. Meat and produce sold at Aldi often come from regional farms, which involves lower transportation costs than for food sourced from farther away. The simple store layout and even the stores’ small footprints help keep costs down, too!

There’s a time and a place for a bougie grocery store, but keep in mind, you’ll end up paying a premium for that in-store sushi bar and those heavy-duty plastic bags. If your main goal is to stay on budget and you don’t mind a more simplified shopping experience, you’ll appreciate Aldi for thinking through every little penny-saving detail — but next time you stop in, maybe bring your own music and headphones.