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Costco vs ALDI comparison Australia

Costco vs ALDI

Bulk buying with a paid membership vs no-frills everyday low prices compared

Costco vs ALDI at a Glance

 CostcoALDI
Store typeSupermarketsSupermarkets
New catalogue / salesNo fixed day – sales start any daySpecial Buys every Wed & Sat
Next: Wed 21 Oct
MembershipPaid membership requiredNo membership, anyone can shop
StoresAround 15 large warehouses, mostly in capital citiesAround 600 stores in NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD, SA and WA
Pack sizesBulk and family-size packsStandard household sizes
Own brandKirkland SignatureALDI-exclusive brands across most of the range
ExtrasFuel (many sites), optical, food court, electronicsSpecial Buys every Wednesday and Saturday
Opened in Australia2009, Docklands, Melbourne2001, Sydney
Full store guideCostco Deals →ALDI Catalogue →

Store numbers, programs and policies change over time. Always check the official Costco and ALDI websites for current details.

Latest Costco Deals & Specials

Fresh Costco deals, discounts and promo offers, updated every few hours.

Latest deal

Deals may have ended, be targeted to some customers or limited to some states. Always check the price in store or online before you buy.

Latest ALDI Deals & Specials

Fresh ALDI deals, discounts and promo offers, updated every few hours.

Latest deal

Deals may have ended, be targeted to some customers or limited to some states. Always check the price in store or online before you buy.

Costco vs ALDI: Two Ways to Spend Less on Groceries

Costco and ALDI are both known for low prices, but they get there in very different ways. Costco is a membership warehouse club: you pay an annual fee and buy groceries, household products and general merchandise in bulk packs. ALDI is a no-frills supermarket with a focused range of mostly ALDI-exclusive brands in normal household sizes and no membership at all.

Price per unit vs basket price

Costco’s strength is the unit price. Buying a large pack of coffee, toilet paper, meat or nappies can work out cheaper per item than at a supermarket. But the total spend per visit is higher, and the annual membership fee needs to be recovered through savings. ALDI keeps the total basket price low, and in independent supermarket surveys by CHOICE it has regularly been the cheapest major supermarket for everyday items.

Who each store suits

Costco suits large families, shared households, small businesses and anyone with the space to store bulk packs. Many members also use Costco Fuel, where prices are often below nearby service stations. ALDI suits households that want a quick weekly shop at low prices without committing to bulk buys or a fee. With around 600 stores, ALDI is also far easier to reach than Costco’s small number of large warehouses.

Beyond groceries

Both stores sell much more than food. Costco carries TVs, appliances, furniture, outdoor gear and seasonal products year-round, plus an optical department and a food court. ALDI’s Special Buys arrive every Wednesday and Saturday with limited-stock appliances, tools, homewares and outdoor gear that often sell out quickly.

The Verdict

If you buy in large quantities and will use the membership often, Costco can deliver the lowest unit prices. For most households doing a normal weekly shop, ALDI offers lower total spending without a fee. Check the latest Costco deals and ALDI Special Buys, and compare ALDI with the big supermarkets in ALDI vs Coles.

Costco vs ALDI – Questions & Answers

Is Costco cheaper than ALDI?

Costco can be cheaper per unit on bulk packs, meat, coffee and household items, but you need a paid membership and enough storage space. ALDI is usually cheaper for a normal weekly shop because you buy standard sizes and pay no membership fee.

Do you need a membership to shop at ALDI?

No. ALDI is open to everyone and does not have a membership or loyalty program. Costco requires a paid membership to shop in the warehouse or online.

Is a Costco membership worth it?

It depends on how much you buy. Large families, people who buy in bulk and drivers who use Costco Fuel are most likely to recover the annual fee. Smaller households often save more at ALDI.

Are the deals on this page checked?

Deals for both stores come from the OzBargain shopping community and are refreshed every few hours. Some may have ended or be limited to some states, so always confirm the price with the retailer before you buy.

See Each Store’s Catalogue

Costco Deals AustraliaCostco DealsLive deals ALDI Catalogue AustraliaALDI CatalogueSpecial Buys Wed 21 Oct

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