Did some shopping at ALDI

ALDI opened last Friday, with a modest amount of fanfare. I went on the Thursday prior to see their offerings. The store was much smaller than anticipated. It is barely larger than Costco's front end. Not a criticism, but an observation. All of ALDI's greeters were pleasant and put on the expected smiling face, but it seemed really weird to be handed little yogurt cups, pretzel crisps and pizza rolls from overly courteous Aryans - white, slim, young and well-groomed - in their $600 dollar suits. It really felt weird seeing one of the Aryan Amazons bending over to hear a little Asian woman asking for a sample of their cinammon cereal. That pretentiousness doesn't sell well in this borough.

As to its product, that is left to be tasted. The prices are low, the selection is limited and the quality is yet TBD. I suspect that immigrants, which comprise a majority of the area's consumers, will not accept Eurotrash. I don't know if ALDIs fits that bill, the early word suggests their products are not on par with the suits their young lil execs wear at their opening.

As far as it being a threat to COSTCO, the jury is out. The profit margins for cost-cutting retailers/wholesalers is low. ALDI has some advantages, as I have pointed out earlier. And, as for ALDI, its not a matter of stealing a big chunk of COSTCO's business, it is only a matter of putting a big enough dent in it to make it unprofitable.

So now, the matter goes to the consumer......

And how is Aldi doin?

Shelves are stocked. Freezers are stocked. Registers are on. Looks ready to open. But by the look of it, seems to be a lil peanut store. You wouldn't think it could compete with Costco. Based on the composition of the neighborhood their inability to buy in bulk, who knows. Hmmmmmmmm.

UPDATE: Aldi to open on the 18th with a preview on the 17th. I am certainly not trying to promote Aldi, I hope they fail. I just don't understand - - "To get to Costco, follow that arrow, go down the elevator, and navigate yourself through the vestibule."

UCRP Gets Noticed by the Blogosphere

This humble blog is proud to have received links from two very important blogs writing about NYC. The first is from Queens Crap. Its an anonymous blog I have read for a number of years devoted to exposing the "overdevelopment and "tweeding" of the borough of Queens in the City of New York." This blogger, for many years, has worked ceaselessly, to expose the corruption of New York City politicians. The link to this blog is here.

The second link is from The New York Times City Room blog. This link caught me a bit off guard. The link is noteworthy and appreciated but its synopsis of this blog is somewhat off the mark. It says that I am trying to 'shame' Costco into unionizing. This is not correct. I do not want to shame my employer. I want to give voice to the people at Costco who are afraid for their jobs.

So, the direction of this blog goes uncharted.

Costco v. Aldi

Interesting vid. Aldi is set to open in Rego Park in the beginning of 2011. Did I just say'in Rego Park?' I meant to say on the street , with easy access, just a few feet away from the elevators that bring you down to Costco's congested dungeon. Aldi's mission statement is clear;

At ALDI, our philosophy is also the foundation for our less-is-more approach to grocery retailing. Everything we do, from selecting suppliers to scouting locations to building and operating stores, facilitates savings substantial enough to impact your every-day living. (emphasis mine)

HMMMMMMMMMM, Sounds like another store we know. The differences?:

1. Aldi - NO membership fee
2. Aldi - Located on the street level. No need to fight through crowds at elevators and in hallways.
3. Aldi - Don't need to buy in bulk.

Costco is not well suited for its surrounding neighborhoods. In Queens, most reside in small apartments. Bulk items are not practical. And Costco cannot survive selling rotisserie chickens alone......