Just take my money, Aldi!
Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Skip Aldi’s “Aisle of Shame” on Your Next Trip
Published on May 30, 2025
Typically when I’m traversing my regular grocery store, I consider the “aisle of shame” the ones stocked with chips, cookies and ice cream, all items I usually load up on. But Aldi’s “Aisle of Shame” takes the idea to an entirely new level. Seriously, it’s one of the main reasons everyone’s talking about Aldi.
If you’ve never paid a visit to this store before, know that you will not find a row actually labeled “Aisle of Shame.” But trust me, you’ll know it when you see it. And if you’re embarrassed by your “shame” purchases, don’t worry—Aldi cashiers scan so fast that you’ll be back in your car in the blink of an eye. Also, you’re in good company—there’s a Facebook group for Aldi Aisle of Shame devotees that’s 3.6 million strong.
So let’s dig into this guilty pleasure, shall we? Read on to learn all about Aldi’s Aisle of Shame and why it’s a don’t-skip destination.
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What is Aldi’s Aisle of Shame?
Now that your interest is piqued, Aldi’s Aisle of Shame really isn’t that shameful at all—unless you’re embarrassed by epic savings. Its real name is “Aldi Finds,” and it’s an aisle packed with everything from home decor to toys to clothing. Many of the items here fall under one of Aldi’s private label brands (like Kirkton House or Belavi for home goods), and they’re specifically manufactured to be sold in the store.
Prices on these goods are cheap. For example, Aldi once sold a Pilates reformer machine for just $150, and customers went nuts for it.
Why are people so obsessed with Aldi Finds?
Ultimately, people are obsessed with Aldi Finds because it’s like a scavenger hunt. There are weekly “drops” that you can scout out on Aldi’s website ahead of time. So if something really intrigues you, you can make sure to head to the store right when that item is expected to hit shelves. You can typically find the week’s new Aldi Finds on a Wednesday, because this is when their latest weekly ad goes into effect.
What “treasures” have people found at Aldi?
Ask someone about their most precious Aldi Find, and they will excitedly treat you to stories about their favorite scores.
- Candles. “My absolute favorite find at Aldi is Huntington Home candles,” says Meg Wubbenhorst, a travel blogger. “After a lifetime of overpaying for scented wax, I find Aldi’s version more upscale than anything you’d find at Pottery Barn or similar. They burn long, smell heavenly and are spot-on to their assigned scents, plus, they look super expensive.” Her favorite scents include Gardenia, Clementine & Basil and Apple Cider Doughnuts. Each costs $4.95.
- Dutch oven. “The best treasure I ever found within the Aldi Finds was a cast-iron Dutch oven that cost me a paltry $25,” says Clay Cary, senior trends analyst at CouponFollow. “It looked similar to elegant Le Creuset versions, but at a fraction of the cost. Miraculously, it has been in pristine shape over the years. I’ve used it to make everything from sourdough to hearty stews. Honestly, it’s one of those surprise buys that taught me a lovely truism: Aldi Finds are not just fun—they’re actually practical.”
- Furniture. “I think my favorite purchase so far is the bar cabinet I bought for my adult daughter for Christmas a couple of years ago,” says Marcia Layton-Turner, a bestselling business book ghostwriter. “It is well designed, large and the rich wood veneer exterior blends well with her modern aesthetic. It was $99 and came unassembled in two boxes, which she didn’t mind because she is adept at putting furniture together—she did not inherit that from me.”
- Underwear. “It might not be the most glamorous, but one of the best deals I’ve come across is the Crane activewear boxer briefs,” says Luke Jones, a certified personal trainer and movement coach. “They’re made from a soft modal fabric and come at a fraction of the cost of similar style boxers. They’re super lightweight, breathable and they wash really well!”
Why are these items so discounted?
Generally speaking, these items are so discounted because they are Aldi’s private label brand. So essentially, Aldi is cutting out the middleman and any flashy brand names, having their very own goods manufactured for them. There are no extra marketing dollars to spend that might drive up the prices of these products because loyal Aldi shoppers already know to check the Aisle of Shame for new goodies.
What should you know before you go?
Not everything marked with a cheap price tag is a great deal, no matter how appealing it might be. It’s good to go into an Aldi Finds shop with a strategy—and a bit of decorum.
If you’re on the hunt for the really coveted items, you need to have a plan. “I always preview the weekly ad online in advance so I can see what’s coming, and I try to shop on Wednesday mornings, when the new goodies are stocked,” Cary says. “That’s when the pickin’s are best.”
He notes that if you wait even a day or two, many of the best Aldi Finds are usually gone, because there is limited inventory.
“I also go in with a specific budget in mind, because, let’s face it, it’s all too easy to go for a loaf of bread and come out with a chainsaw, a meditation pillow and five candles,” Cary says.
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Source:
- Clay Cary, senior trends analyst at Coupon Follow
