Discount Grocers Aldi And Lidl Give U.S. Stores A Run For Their Money
The grocery industry is in an intense price war. Two German competitors — Aldi and Lidl — are a major driving force. They're known for very low prices, and they're planning scores of new U.S. stores.
It's 6:30 a.m. on a Thursday in September, about an hour until the grand opening of a Lidl grocery store in Manassas, Va. A small line is queued along a squat building — at first glance, maybe a car dealership, if it were designed by Ikea. A few people at the front of the line shake their heads when asked whether they'd heard of a Lidl — pronounced"Lee-dle" — before this one arrived. It's the German newcomer's 30th U.S. location.
Rose and Roy Spilman camped overnight to be the first customers. Or, rather, Rose sat in line while Roy slept in the car — this is very much Rose's
