Aldi, the discount grocery chain, has cut prices on about a third of its products, joining other grocers that are doing the same as shoppers buy less food.

What this means for you

Grocery prices have been high for years. If you shop at Aldi, or stores like it, you may start seeing real savings on everyday items soon, especially if you are planning ahead for the holidays.

Aldi said its price cuts started Wednesday and will last until at least Nov. 3. The company says the cuts add up to about $86 million in savings for shoppers. Scott Patton, Aldi's chief commercial officer, said the company is always looking for ways to run things more efficiently so it can pass savings on to customers.

Some of the items getting cheaper include grapes, pears, Brussels sprouts, squash, fresh herbs, garlic, French beans, apples and potatoes. Honeycrisp apples now cost $1.99 a pound, which Aldi says is 35% cheaper than last year and the lowest price in more than five years. A family pack of Kirkwood chicken breast is also $1.99 a pound, the lowest price since 2022.

Aldi is not alone. Costco, Stop & Shop, Walmart and Kroger have all cut prices this year too. Stop & Shop, the biggest grocer on Long Island, lowered prices by 5% to 35% on thousands of items earlier this year. Costco cut prices on eggs, beef and several Kirkland Signature products during its last fiscal quarter.

Why are people buying less food? There are a few reasons. The war in Iran, which started Feb. 28, has disrupted fuel shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing up the cost of diesel used to move food and run farm machines. Gas prices on Long Island were $4.48 a gallon this week, 42% higher than a year ago.

A May survey by Bain & Co. found that 28% of Americans are trying to spend less on groceries. Many are buying cheaper brands, buying less overall, or using more coupons. Cuts to food stamp benefits and the rising use of weight loss drugs are also playing a role, according to Bain.

Grocery shoppers interviewed outside an Aldi store in East Northport said they are being more careful with their money. One retiree said she checks price per pound before buying. Another said she moves between stores to find the best deals.

This site's job is to explain stories like this in plain words, so you do not need a dictionary to understand why your grocery bill is changing. If you want to save money now, check your local Aldi or other discount grocer for the items on sale before Nov. 3.

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