Overview
- Aldi rolled out its “Günstig ohne Bonus-App” campaign on Saturday, promising that the shelf price will apply to every customer without requiring an app, coupon activation, or personal data sharing.
- Lidl quickly answered with social-media ads that mocked Aldi’s one-price claim and pointed to the long-standing legal split between Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd as a reason uniform prices are unrealistic.
- Market data show retailer apps are widespread and powerful, with a NIQ study reporting about 65% of Germans owning at least one store app and using digital coupons to get targeted discounts.
- Shoppers can still find deep in‑store savings by timing visits near closing when fresh goods are marked down (often around 50% and up to 70% for bakery items) and by watching Lidl shelf codes such as “T” or “4T” that signal planned reductions.
- Structural details matter: Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd operate independently so prices can vary by region, consumers should check the legally required Grundpreis and struck-through original prices to spot real discounts, and Aldi’s reported open food-return policy adds a safety net for shoppers.