Aldi Shoppers Are Convinced This Rival Store Has Much Better Produce — Here's Why

Aldi has built a reputation on affordability. The German store's no-frills approach has helped Aldi expand throughout the United States, and it's this approach that lets the chain set such low prices for good-quality foods. But some people on the internet feel another low-cost German supermarket, Lidl, has better produce. Having opened its first American location in 2017, Lidl now has over 190 stores on the East Coast.

On Reddit, someone asked what the difference is between the two chains. One responder wrote that the main difference is Aldi is more efficient and focused while Lidl has a bigger selection of fresh produce. Others went into more detail on the fresh fruit and vegetables, with one saying, "Lidl's produce seems to keep longer." Another commenter speculated that Lidl's fresher produce was a result of Lidl hiring more people. The theory would be that more employees mean the workers have time to check expiration dates and the freshness of the produce.

The sentiment appears to be the same over on Facebook, where one user asked which chain was better. "I always buy my produce at Lidl," wrote one responder. Another commenter agreed, saying of Lidl: "More fresh produce and bigger range."

Lidl U.S. CEO Joel Rampoldt spoke at Groceryshop 2025 where he gave some insight into the store's approach to freshness. In an interview at the conference he said, "We talk a lot inside our company about the first 90 feet ... and the first 90 feet in our stores is fresh. When you walk in: fresh flowers, fresh bakery, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables." In other words, having fresh produce is a big part of the design of the store. He went on to say that it's okay if the rest of the store is a little disorganized since it's the first impression that counts, and he may be right given that the fresh bakery is another Lidl department Aldi shoppers are jealous of.

Frontloading fresh to make a good first impression is part of Lidl's plan to make the shopper feel more comfortable. That plan appears to be paying off. One Redditor wrote: "Lidl is generally a superior experience in most other ways, even simple things like the layout and lighting. In Aldi, you know you're in a discount grocery. The lighting is dim, the product is kinda weirdly organized. Lidl feels like a 'real' grocery store, well lit and cheerful." This focus on a better shopping environment is just one of the key differences between Aldi and Lidl.