Aldi vs Walmart 2026: Prices, Locations & Variety
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
German-owned discount grocery chain with 2,300+ US stores focused on private-label products and low prices.
Price-conscious shoppers who value fresh groceries, repeat buyers of private-label brands, and those seeking quick, focused shopping trips
Walmart
World's largest retailer with 5,574 US locations offering groceries, apparel, electronics, and general merchandise.
Families seeking comprehensive shopping destinations, those wanting apparel and electronics alongside groceries, and shoppers prioritizing convenience over lowest prices
Quick Answer
AI SummaryWalmart 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.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose 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.
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Choose Aldi if
Price-conscious shoppers who value fresh groceries, repeat buyers of private-label brands, and those seeking quick, focused shopping trips
Choose Walmart if
Best pickFamilies seeking comprehensive shopping destinations, those wanting apparel and electronics alongside groceries, and shoppers prioritizing convenience over lowest prices
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Number of US Locations:✓ Walmart wins(5,574 vs 2,300+)
- Product Categories:✓ Walmart wins(Groceries, apparel, electronics, home goods, pharmacy vs Groceries and limited fresh items only)
- Average SKU Count (items per store):✓ Walmart wins(120,000 vs 1,400)
Key Facts & Figures
95 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Aldi | Walmart | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planned New Stores (2026)(stores) | 180+ new stores | — | — |
| US Store Count(stores) | ~2,800 | — | — |
| New Stores Planned (2026)(locations) | 180+ | — | — |
| Projected Total US Locations (End 2026)(stores) | ~2,800 stores | — | — |
| Total Global Stores(locations) | 2,100+ stores | 10,500+ stores | |
| Product SKUs per Store(items) | ~1,400 items | 30,000-40,000 items | |
| Average Basket Price Difference(percent cheaper) | 20-30% cheaper | Baseline pricing | |
| Private Label Products(percent of inventory) | 90% private label | 25-30% private label | |
| Integrated Services Offered(types of services) | 2 services (grocery, pharmacy) | 20+ services (grocery, pharmacy, gas, vision, financial, auto, home services) | |
| US Weekly Customer Traffic(millions of visits) | ~30 million weekly | ~140 million weekly | |
| Annual Revenue (US operations)(billions USD) | $~20 billion USD | $400+ billion USD | |
| Average Basket Cost (Weekly Shop)(USD) | $50 | — | — |
| Total U.S. Store Locations(stores) | 2,250 | — | — |
| Unique Product Selection(SKUs) | 1,450 | — | — |
| Organic/Natural Products(%) | 18% | — | — |
| Customer Satisfaction (ACSI Score)(points/100) | 81 | — | — |
| Starting Hourly Wage(USD/hour) | $15.75 | — | — |
| Private Label Product Share(%) | 90% | — | — |
| Average Store Size(square feet) | 12,500 | — | — |
| Average Item Price (National Basket)(USD) | $3.50 average | — | — |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 2,100 locations | 5,574 | |
| Product Selection (SKUs)(count) | 1,400 SKUs | — | — |
| Organic Certified Products(products) | 10-15 items | — | — |
| Private Label Percentage(%) | 90% private label | — | — |
| Prepared Foods Offering(items) | 10-15 frozen items | — | — |
| Customer Satisfaction (ACSI 2024)(score out of 100) | 80/100 | — | — |
| Average Checkout Time(minutes) | 12-15 minutes | 5-7 minutes | |
| Market Cap(USD) | $450 Billion | $450 Billion | |
| US Stores | ~4,700 US | ~4,700 US | |
| Annual Revenue per Store(millions USD) | Walmart: $50-60 million | Walmart: $50-60 million | |
| Customer Satisfaction (Net Promoter Score)(NPS points) | Walmart: 45-50 | Walmart: 45-50 | |
| Average Employee Wage(USD hourly) | Walmart: $16-18 | Walmart: $16-18 | |
| Inventory Turnover(times per year) | Walmart: 8-9x | Walmart: 8-9x | |
| Online Order Fulfillment(delivery time days) | Walmart: Same-day available | Walmart: Same-day available | |
| Global Employee Count(thousands) | Walmart: 2.1+ million | Walmart: 2.1+ million | |
| Product Return Rate(percentage) | Walmart: 7-8% | Walmart: 7-8% | |
| Annual Membership Fee(USD) | $0 | $0 | |
| Kirkland/Great Value Private Label Market Share(percent of sales) | 15-20% | 15-20% | |
| Customer Satisfaction Score (ACSI)(points (0-100)) | 76 | 76 | |
| U.S. Store Count(stores) | ~3,600 stores | ~3,600 stores | |
| Per-Unit Price on Bulk Staples(USD per unit) | $1.20 | $1.20 | |
| Total Product SKUs(products) | 140,000+ | 140,000+ | |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 3,572 | 3,572 | |
| Average Transaction Value(USD) | $45-55 | $45-55 | |
| Grocery Product Mix(percent of inventory) | 35-40% | 35-40% | |
| Private Label Savings vs National Brands(percent discount) | 10-15% (Great Value brand) | 10-15% (Great Value brand) | |
| Average Electronics Price Premium(%) | Baseline (lower) | Baseline (lower) | |
| Membership Reward Rate(%) | 5-10% discount on select items (members only) | 5-10% discount on select items (members only) | |
| Same-Day Delivery Availability(% metro coverage) | ~85% of metro areas | ~85% of metro areas | |
| Product Categories Offered(primary categories) | 9+ (Groceries, apparel, electronics, furniture, etc.) | 9+ (Groceries, apparel, electronics, furniture, etc.) | |
| Bulk Item Savings vs Retail(percent) | 5-10% | 5-10% | |
| Fuel Discount Availability(cents per gallon) | 5-15¢ (Walmart+ only) | 5-15¢ (Walmart+ only) | |
| Product SKU Count per Store(items) | 100,000+ | 100,000+ | |
| Minimum Typical Purchase(USD) | $20+ | $20+ | |
| Return Policy Window(days) | 90 days | 90 days | |
| Member's Mark/Great Value Brand Savings(percent) | 10-20% (Great Value) | 10-20% (Great Value) | |
| Physical Store Count(locations) | 10,500+ | 10,500+ | |
| US E-commerce Market Share(%) | 7.2% | 7.2% | |
| Membership Cost (Annual)(USD) | $98 | $98 | |
| Standard Delivery Time(days) | 2-5 days (standard) | 2-5 days (standard) | |
| US Grocery Market Share(%) | 17.4% | 17.4% | |
| Estimated Active Users(millions) | 150M | 150M | |
| Available Product SKUs(millions) | 80M+ | 80M+ | |
| Total Pet Product Selection(products) | 8,000-12,000 SKUs | 8,000-12,000 SKUs | |
| Price Comparison Index(percent difference) | Baseline (0%) | Baseline (0%) | |
| Annual Membership Cost(USD) | $98 for Walmart+ | $98 for Walmart+ | |
| Return Window(days) | 90 days | 90 days | |
| Total Retail Categories(major categories) | 40+ categories | 40+ categories | |
| Total Annual Revenue(USD (billions)) | $648 billion | $648 billion | |
| Physical Store Locations(count) | 4,700+ | 4,700+ | |
| Annual Membership Cost (Standard Plan)(USD) | Free (no membership required) | Free (no membership required) | |
| Standard Free Shipping Threshold(USD) | $35 | $35 | |
| Average Standard Delivery Time(days) | 3-5 days (free over $35) | 3-5 days (free over $35) | |
| Cloud/Tech Services Revenue(USD (billions)) | $0.5 billion (minimal) | $0.5 billion (minimal) | |
| Estimated Available Products(millions) | 80+ million | 80+ million | |
| U.S. Physical Store Count(locations) | ~4,700 | ~4,700 | |
| Price Difference on 4K Smart TVs(%) | Baseline | Baseline | |
| Return Window (Electronics)(days) | 90 | 90 | |
| Annual Revenue (2025)(billion USD) | $648.1 | $648.1 | |
| Average Customer Satisfaction Rating(out of 5.0) | 3.6 | 3.6 | |
| Annual Revenue(USD billions) | $648B (2024) | $648B (2024) | |
| Market Capitalization(USD trillions) | $420B | $420B | |
| Online Product Selection(millions of SKUs) | ~70 million | ~70 million | |
| U.S. Physical Store Locations(stores) | 4,700+ (Walmart/Sam's Club) | 4,700+ (Walmart/Sam's Club) | |
| Prime/+ Membership Cost(USD per year) | $98 (Walmart+) | $98 (Walmart+) | |
| Same-Day Delivery Coverage(metropolitan areas) | <5 metros | <5 metros | |
| Grocery Price Index vs Baseline(percent difference) | Baseline (0%) | Baseline (0%) | |
| AWS Revenue (Annual)(USD billions) | $0 (retail-only focus) | $0 (retail-only focus) | |
| Product Selection (SKUs per store)(items) | ~120,000 | ~120,000 | |
| Average Grocery Price Index(index (100=baseline)) | 95 | 95 | |
| Private Label Percentage of Sales(percent) | 28% | 28% | |
| 2024 Annual Revenue(USD billions) | $648 | $648 | |
| Average Shopping Trip Duration(minutes) | 45 | 45 | |
| Membership/Loyalty Program Cost(USD per year) | $98 (Walmart+) | $98 (Walmart+) | |
| Average Savings vs Baseline Competitor(percent) | 2% | 2% |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 2,300+Number of US Locations5,574(winner)
- Groceries and limited fresh items onlyProduct CategoriesGroceries, apparel, electronics, home goods, pharmacy(winner)
- 1,400Average SKU Count (items per store)120,000(winner)
- 90%(winner)Private Label Percentage of Sales28%
- 89(winner)Average Grocery Price Index (lower = cheaper)95
- $17.32024 Revenue (USD Billions)$648(winner)
- 25(winner)Average Trip Duration (minutes)45
- Number of US Locations
Aldi
2,300+
Walmart
5,574(winner)
- Product Categories
Aldi
Groceries and limited fresh items only
Walmart
Groceries, apparel, electronics, home goods, pharmacy(winner)
- Average SKU Count (items per store)
Aldi
1,400
Walmart
120,000(winner)
- Private Label Percentage of Sales
Aldi
90%(winner)
Walmart
28%
- Average Grocery Price Index (lower = cheaper)
Aldi
89(winner)
Walmart
95
- 2024 Revenue (USD Billions)
Aldi
$17.3
Walmart
$648(winner)
- Average Trip Duration (minutes)
Aldi
25(winner)
Walmart
45
Full Comparison
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Price Competitiveness(relative ranking) | Lowest | — |
| Price Consumer Reports Ranking(ranking) | Most competitive prices | — |
| Price Competitiveness | Ultra-low (leader) | — |
| Average Basket Price Difference(percent cheaper) | 20-30% cheaper(winner) | Baseline pricing |
| Average Basket Cost (Weekly Shop)(USD) | $50 | — |
Show 16 more attributesAverage Item Price (National Basket)(USD) $3.50 average — Per-Unit Price on Bulk Staples(USD per unit) $1.20 — Private Label Savings vs National Brands(percent discount) 10-15% (Great Value brand) — Average Electronics Price Premium(%) Baseline (lower) — Bulk Item Savings vs Retail(percent) 5-10% — Member's Mark/Great Value Brand Savings(percent) 10-20% (Great Value) — Membership Cost (Annual)(USD) $98 — Price Comparison Index(percent difference) Baseline (0%) — Auto-Ship Discount Maximum(percent off) No dedicated program — Annual Membership Cost(USD) $98 for Walmart+ — Annual Membership Cost (Standard Plan)(USD) Free (no membership required) — Price Difference on 4K Smart TVs(%) Baseline — Prime/+ Membership Cost(USD per year) $98 (Walmart+) — Grocery Price Index vs Baseline(percent difference) Baseline (0%) — Average Grocery Price Index(index (100=baseline)) 95 — Average Savings vs Baseline Competitor(percent) 2% — | ||
| Target Customer Income Level | Working/middle class | — |
| Planned New Stores (2026)(stores) | 180+ new stores | — |
| US Store Count(stores) | ~2,800 | — |
| Market Share Momentum | Growing (low-price leader, 50-year presence) | — |
| US Weekly Customer Traffic(millions of visits) | ~30 million weekly | ~140 million weekly(winner) |
| US E-commerce Market Share(%) | 7.2% | — |
| US Grocery Market Share(%) | 17.4% | — |
| Geographic Expansion Strategy | Aggressive nationwide expansion (31 states + new markets) | — |
| New Stores Planned (2026)(locations) | 180+ | — |
| Product Differentiation | Low (staple essentials focus) | — |
| Employee Base (2026)(employees) | Data not specified | — |
| Inventory Turnover(times per year) | Walmart: 8-9x | — |
| Jobs Created by 2026 Expansion(jobs) | Significant (not quantified) | — |
| Starting Hourly Wage(USD/hour) | $15.75 | — |
| Product SKU Variety | Limited | — |
| Product SKUs per Store(items) | ~1,400 items | 30,000-40,000 items(winner) |
| Unique Product Selection(SKUs) | 1,450 | — |
| Total Product SKUs(products) | 140,000+ | — |
| Product SKU Count per Store(items) | 100,000+ | — |
Show 5 more attributesAvailable Product SKUs(millions) 80M+ — Total Pet Product Selection(products) 8,000-12,000 SKUs — Total Retail Categories(major categories) 40+ categories — Estimated Available Products(millions) 80+ million — Online Product Selection(millions of SKUs) ~70 million — | ||
| Projected Total US Locations (End 2026)(stores) | ~2,800 stores | — |
| Total Global Stores(locations) | 2,100+ stores | 10,500+ stores(winner) |
| Private Label Products(percent of inventory) | 90% private label | 25-30% private label(winner) |
| Organic/Natural Products(%) | 18% | — |
| Private Label Product Share(%) | 90% | — |
| Private Label Percentage(%) | 90% private label | — |
| Grocery Product Mix(percent of inventory) | 35-40% | — |
Show 1 more attributePrivate Label Percentage of Sales(percent) 28% — | ||
| Integrated Services Offered(types of services) | 2 services (grocery, pharmacy) | 20+ services (grocery, pharmacy, gas, vision, financial, auto, home services)(winner) |
| Prepared Foods Offering(items) | 10-15 frozen items | — |
| Average Checkout Time(minutes) | 12-15 minutes | 5-7 minutes(winner) |
| Minimum Typical Purchase(USD) | $20+ | — |
| Annual Revenue (US operations)(billions USD) | $~20 billion USD | $400+ billion USD(winner) |
| Total U.S. Store Locations(stores) | 2,250 | — |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 3,572 | — |
| Customer Satisfaction (ACSI Score)(points/100) | 81 | — |
| Average Store Size(square feet) | 12,500 | — |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 2,100 locations | 5,574(winner) |
| Product Selection (SKUs)(count) | 1,400 SKUs | — |
| Organic Certified Products(products) | 10-15 items | — |
| Customer Satisfaction (ACSI 2024)(score out of 100) | 80/100 | — |
| Customer Satisfaction (Net Promoter Score)(NPS points) | Walmart: 45-50 | — |
| Product Return Rate(percentage) | Walmart: 7-8% | — |
| Customer Satisfaction Score (ACSI)(points (0-100)) | 76 | — |
| Average Customer Satisfaction Rating(out of 5.0) | 3.6 | — |
| Market Cap(USD) | $450 Billion | — |
| US Stores | ~4,700 US | — |
| Global Employee Count(thousands) | Walmart: 2.1+ million | — |
| Annual Revenue per Store(millions USD) | Walmart: $50-60 million | — |
| Market Capitalization(trillions USD) | Walmart: $400+ billion | — |
| Total Annual Revenue(USD (billions)) | $648 billion | — |
| Annual Revenue(USD billions) | $648B (2024) | — |
| Market Capitalization(USD trillions) | $420B | — |
| Average Employee Wage(USD hourly) | Walmart: $16-18 | — |
| Online Order Fulfillment(delivery time days) | Walmart: Same-day available | — |
| Annual Membership Fee(USD) | $0 | — |
| Estimated Annual Savings Threshold(USD) | N/A (no membership) | — |
| Estimated Break-Even on Membership (annual savings needed)(months) | N/A | — |
| Kirkland/Great Value Private Label Market Share(percent of sales) | 15-20% | — |
| Bulk Purchase Minimum Requirement(typical qty) | Single units available | — |
| U.S. Store Count(stores) | ~3,600 stores | — |
| Average Transaction Value(USD) | $45-55 | — |
| Membership Reward Rate(%) | 5-10% discount on select items (members only) | — |
| Same-Day Delivery Availability(% metro coverage) | ~85% of metro areas | — |
| Warranty Coverage for Electronics(coverage type) | Basic manufacturer defect coverage only | — |
| In-Store Tech Support(availability) | Limited technical support in electronics departments | — |
| Product Categories Offered(primary categories) | 9+ (Groceries, apparel, electronics, furniture, etc.) | — |
| Fuel Discount Availability(cents per gallon) | 5-15¢ (Walmart+ only) | — |
| Return Policy Window(days) | 90 days | — |
| Return Window(days) | 90 days | — |
| Return Window (Electronics)(days) | 90 | — |
| Physical Store Count(locations) | 10,500+ | — |
| U.S. Physical Store Count(locations) | ~4,700 | — |
| U.S. Physical Store Locations(stores) | 4,700+ (Walmart/Sam's Club) | — |
| Standard Delivery Time(days) | 2-5 days (standard) | — |
| Same-Day Delivery Coverage(metropolitan areas) | <5 metros | — |
| Estimated Active Users(millions) | 150M | — |
| Customer Service Availability(hours/week) | Limited hours, chat/email | — |
| Physical Store Locations(count) | 4,700+ | — |
| Standard Free Shipping Threshold(USD) | $35 | — |
| Average Standard Delivery Time(days) | 3-5 days (free over $35) | — |
| Cloud/Tech Services Revenue(USD (billions)) | $0.5 billion (minimal) | — |
| In-Store Tech Support Available | No | — |
| Annual Revenue (2025)(billion USD) | $648.1 | — |
| Extended Protection Plan Options | Limited | — |
| AWS Revenue (Annual)(USD billions) | $0 (retail-only focus) | — |
| Product Selection (SKUs per store)(items) | ~120,000 | — |
| 2024 Annual Revenue(USD billions) | $648 | — |
| Average Shopping Trip Duration(minutes) | 45 | — |
| Membership/Loyalty Program Cost(USD per year) | $98 (Walmart+) | — |
Show 16 more attributes
Show 5 more attributes
Show 1 more attribute
Pros & Cons
10 pros·4 cons across both
Aldi
Pros
- Lowest grocery prices in US market (6% cheaper than competitors on average)
- 90% private label products with quality comparable to name brands
- Fast shopping experience averaging 25 minutes per trip
- Strong fresh produce selection with daily rotation
- Environmental commitment with 80% recyclable packaging across products
Cons
- Limited selection restricts meal planning flexibility (1,400 items vs competitors' 50,000+)
- No pharmacy, apparel, electronics, or non-grocery departments requiring separate shopping trips
Walmart
Pros
- One-stop shopping with 120,000+ items per store covering groceries, fashion, electronics, and home goods
- 5,574 US locations provide unmatched convenience and accessibility
- Walmart+ membership ($98/year) offers free delivery on orders over $35 and fuel discounts
- Competitive grocery prices with price match guarantee on 10,000+ items
- Strong Great Value and Great Lakes private brands across multiple categories
Cons
- Longer average shopping trips (45 minutes) due to store size and broader selection
- Grocery prices 6-7% higher than Aldi due to bulk/variety of offerings
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
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.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
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Wikipedia
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