Sometimes the stars align and it seems like you’ve arrived at your grocery store right after a brand new restock. The shelves are full of all your favorite items and there are even some new products to try.
If you know the best time to shop at Aldi, you can have that experience regularly. Here’s all you need to know about when that is!
What Is The Best Time To Shop At Aldi?
Wednesday mornings are the best time to shop at Aldi stores. This is because on Wednesdays the new ALDI Finds hit the shelves, along with special deals on meat and produce. Sunday mornings are also good days because the new Hot Deals are marked down.
Wednesday is the best overall day, but there are other days and times of days to shop to suit your specific needs. Read on for all the information you’ll need!
Why Is Wednesday The Best Day To Shop At Aldi?
Wednesdays are the best and most desirable days to shop at Aldi because of the latest ALDI Find drops that occur. It is also the start of the new week’s sales, including super-low deals on meat, produce and pantry staples.
All these awesome types of items get priced at the ultra low, crazy-affordable price tags you’re used to seeing on Aldi’s grocery and pantry foods.
Because the prices are so good, oftentimes half the price you’d find on even Amazon, some items can sell out within mere hours of the store opening on Wednesday. And when they sell out, they’re gone.
Why Is Sunday A Good Day To Shop At Aldi?
Sunday is a good day to shop at Aldi because the stores restock their Hot Deals section.
These are drastically price-reduced ALDI Finds that they want to move out to make way for new stock. They’re marked with red shelf tags that show the discounted price.
What Is The Best Time Of Day To Shop At Aldi?
Once you know you’re heading to Aldi on Wednesday, you might wonder what time is best to get there and snag all the deals.
There are two times of day to arrive: in the morning, right after they open, and in the afternoon, at about 3 p.m.
In the morning right after opening, the shelves have just been replenished, both in terms of ALDI Finds and everyday items (especially produce and meat).
Then the shift changes happen at 3 p.m. and before the morning shift ends, employees do a restock of items that are running low.
They’ll also rotate the produce, so that newer stock goes on the bottom or back and older sits on top or front, so reach in.
If you have tried the store at this time and didn’t find it was exactly what you were hoping for, just try asking someone when the afternoon restock happens. Aldi employees are well known for their friendliness and willingness to go the extra mile for customers.
What Day Could You Get ALDI Finds Early?
Aldi is indeed known for stocking the Finds early, especially the food items. Aldi stores are significantly smaller than, say, a Walmart or Target.
Because of this space crunch, sometimes the stock needs to move out onto the floor quickly — no time for holding.
So the Finds might indeed end up available a day early. You can try Tuesday evenings and see if you have any luck!
When Can I Shop At Aldi And Avoid Crowds?
To avoid crowds at Aldi, there are a few times during the week and each day you should avoid.
Definitely try to avoid weekends, as all the people who work 9-to-5s during the week will be using their two precious days off to grocery shop.
On a daily basis, watch out for crowds during the lunchtime hours between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and the post-work, pre-dinner hours of 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
While Aldi stores aren’t open super late like big box chains, shopping an hour before close is a good bet for thin crowds (even on weekends!).
To learn more on how you can get the most out of shopping at Aldi, you can see our related posts on Aldi private label brands, if Aldi is cheaper than Walmart, our comparison of Aldi vs Lidl, and our rundown of Aldi alcohol.
Conclusion
The best time to shop at Aldi is definitely Wednesdays first thing in the morning and around 3 pm., thanks to the awesome influx of new and fresh products that hit the shelves.
Check out even further savings on Sundays as well, when the newly reduced Hot Deals get added.
And if your definition of “best” is “least crowded,” skip weekends and shoot for traditional work hours during the day.