Walmart is a significantly larger retailer with 5,574 US locations and broader product selection across groceries, apparel, and electronics, while Aldi operates 2,300+ US stores focused exclusively on groceries with a limited-SKU model (1,400 items vs Walmart's 120,000+) and consistently lower prices. Aldi emphasizes quality through private labels, whereas Walmart competes primarily on scale and variety.
Aldi vs Walmart — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
German-owned discount grocery chain with 2,300+ US stores focused on private-label products and low prices.
World's largest retailer with 5,574 US locations offering groceries, apparel, electronics, and general merchandise.
Number of US Locations. Product Categories. Average SKU Count (items per store). Private Label Percentage of Sales. Average Grocery Price Index (lower = cheaper). 2024 Revenue (USD Billions). Average Trip Duration (minutes)
Choose Walmart if you want one-stop shopping for groceries, clothing, electronics, and household items with maximum convenience and variety. Choose Aldi if you prioritize the lowest grocery prices, prefer curated private-label selections, and are willing to shop in a smaller format for faster, more focused shopping trips.
Aldi: Working/middle class | Walmart: N/A
Aldi: Growing (low-price leader, 50-year presence) | Walmart: N/A
Aldi: Aggressive nationwide expansion (31 states + new markets) | Walmart: N/A
Aldi: Most competitive prices | Walmart: N/A
Aldi: Low (staple essentials focus) | Walmart: N/A
Aldi: Significant (not quantified) | Walmart: N/A
Aldi: 2,100+ stores | Walmart: 10,500+ stores
Aldi: 20-30% cheaper | Walmart: Baseline pricing
Aldi: 90% private label | Walmart: 25-30% private label
Aldi: 2 services (grocery, pharmacy) | Walmart: 20+ services (grocery, pharmacy, gas, vision, financial, auto, home services)
Aldi: ~30 million weekly | Walmart: ~140 million weekly
Aldi: $~20 billion USD | Walmart: $400+ billion USD
Aldi: 12-15 minutes | Walmart: 5-7 minutes
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: Walmart: $50-60 million
Customer Satisfaction (Net Promoter Score)
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: Walmart: Same-day available
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: Walmart: $400+ billion
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: Walmart: 2.1+ million
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: N/A (no membership)
Kirkland/Great Value Private Label Market Share
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: Single units available
Private Label Savings vs National Brands
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: 10-15% (Great Value brand)
Estimated Break-Even on Membership (annual savings needed)
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: 5-10% discount on select items (members only)
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: ~85% of metro areas
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: Basic manufacturer defect coverage only
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: Limited technical support in electronics departments
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: 9+ (Groceries, apparel, electronics, furniture, etc.)
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: 5-15¢ (Walmart+ only)
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: 10-20% (Great Value)
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: 2-5 days (standard)
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: No dedicated program
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: Limited hours, chat/email
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: Free (no membership required)
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: 3-5 days (free over $35)
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: $0.5 billion (minimal)
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: 4,700+ (Walmart/Sam's Club)
Aldi: N/A | Walmart: $0 (retail-only focus)
Aldi vs Walmart — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Aldi vs Walmart. Contains 115 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Aldi vs Walmart — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Aldi vs Walmart.
Yes, Aldi's average grocery price index is 89 versus Walmart's 95, representing approximately 6% savings on identical items. Aldi achieves this through its limited-SKU model (1,400 items vs 120,000), which reduces overhead, and by sourcing 90% of products as private labels rather than paying for national brand markups.
No, Aldi operates exclusively as a grocery and fresh foods retailer. It does not carry apparel, electronics, pharmacy items, or general merchandise. Walmart is the better choice if you need to purchase these categories alongside groceries in one trip.
How much time does an Aldi shop typically take versus Walmart?
Aldi shopping trips average 25 minutes due to the compact store format and limited selection, while Walmart trips average 45 minutes. The smaller Aldi footprint and focused product range make it faster for repeat shoppers who know what they want, while Walmart's 120,000 items require more browsing time.
Is Aldi's private label quality comparable to name brands?
Yes, independent testing and consumer reviews consistently show Aldi's private labels meet or exceed the quality of national brands. For example, Aldi's SimplyNature organic products and Specially Selected specialty items score equally or higher than mainstream equivalents in blind taste tests and nutritional analysis.
Which retailer is more accessible in rural areas?
Walmart has significantly broader geographic coverage with 5,574 US locations versus Aldi's 2,300+, making it more accessible in rural and underserved areas. Aldi continues expanding but remains concentrated in urban and suburban markets in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast.
Number of US Locations: Aldi has 2,300+, while Walmart has 5,574.
Product Categories: Aldi has Groceries and limited fresh items only, while Walmart has Groceries, apparel, electronics, home goods, pharmacy.
Consider: Average SKU Count (items per store)
Average SKU Count (items per store): Aldi has 1,400, while Walmart has 120,000.
Consider: Private Label Percentage of Sales
Private Label Percentage of Sales: Aldi has 90%, while Walmart has 28%.
Consider: Average Grocery Price Index (lower = cheaper)
Average Grocery Price Index (lower = cheaper): Aldi has 89, while Walmart has 95.
2024 Revenue (USD Billions): Aldi has $17.3, while Walmart has $648.
Consider: Average Trip Duration (minutes)
Average Trip Duration (minutes): Aldi has 25, while Walmart has 45.