Here’s a Sneak Peek at Aldi’s Grand Opening: Tips, Tricks, and How to Score Big!
Have you ever had the chance to attend the opening of a supermarket? Well, Aldi, a supermarket chain expanding to more cities and locations, occasionally hosts store openings. I’m not kidding when I say it’s a fun experience as a customer to be present at one of these events.
For those who don’t know much about Aldi, let me tell you that it is a German supermarket chain growing rapidly in the USA. Aldi is known for offering products at economical prices compared to major competitors, a key reason for its popularity among many customers.
Before diving into the fun activities that take place at Aldi openings, let me share where you can find their new opening stores. Recently openings have been planned in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, and many other states. You can easily find the exact locations on their website.
It’s well known among Aisle of Shame shoppers and the “Caw-Caw gang” (if you know, you know) about the importance of attending an Aldi store opening. It’s not just a simple ribbon-cutting ceremony; it’s a celebration for all the customers who have been patiently waiting. Aldi rewards this loyalty by offering at least a $100 gift card to attendees also called as golden ticket. And if you are lucky you can also stand a chance to win $500 gift card. I will share more details of $500 gift card down the line.
Yes, you read that right. You can win a $500 and $100 gift card to shop at Aldi. However, there is a catch: To only the first 100 people in line before the store opens will receive the gift card. While the task seems simple, being among the first 100 in line is not easy.
Based on my recent experience and the experiences of some friends who have attended an Aldi grand opening, you should aim to reach Aldi by at least 6:30 in the morning. The time you need to wake up will depend on the distance from your home to the Aldi store.
Many people in the Aldi shopping community know about this deal, and they tend to line up early in the morning, well before the 9 am opening time. So, when exactly should you be at the doors of Aldi? The earlier, the better to secure your spot among the first 100 people and get a chance to win the $100 gift card.
Consider the time it takes for you to wake up, get ready, and travel from your home to Aldi, and plan accordingly. Although the nearest Aldi is quite close to my house, I still decided to wake up at 5:40 am just to be on the safe side.
When you reach Aldi, if there is a queue, just join it. The biggest challenge in this situation is holding your spot for the next 2 to 2.5 hours. If you leave, you risk losing your place in line. Therefore, drink minimal water beforehand and try not to think about needing the restroom.
Standing in line, waiting for the shop to open, is an interesting experience. You get to meet new people, all hoping to get the gift card. Luckily, when I arrived at Aldi, I was,4th in line.
Many people bring snacks and portable chairs to sit on, which is a great idea. Some families even bring board games, which seems like a fun way to pass the time. It can get a bit mundane after a while, so make sure your phone is fully charged.
Around 8:30 am, the staff starts to arrive at Aldi, and by the time you get there, the store entrance is already decorated. At about 8:45 am, the manager arrives, greets the customers, and thanks them for standing in line. The store is officially inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and you finally receive your awaited gift card.
FYI, these gift cards can range from $25 to $100. In addition to the gift card, you also receive some cool goodies when you enter the store. A few of my friends said they got a free shopping tote and a bag full of Aldi products.
Here’s the exciting detail you’ve been waiting to know about the $500 gift card. To enter for a chance to win, look for signs inside the store, scan the code, and enter your details. The tricky part is that there is only one $500 gift card available at each store opening. This is a new feature introduced this year, and it’s uncertain whether it will be applicable to every new Aldi store opening.
The staff is always super friendly, a detail that has been consistently noted in the Aldi opening stories shared by many of my friends.
The feeling of visiting a brand new store has a unique excitement that you can only truly appreciate by experiencing it yourself. If you’re in an area where Aldi is opening a new store, try to get in line early in the morning—it’s definitely worth it.
If you get a chance to attend the Aldi grand opening then share your experiences in the comments!
