Does Aldi Sell Bags of Ice in 2024? Here‘s the Scoop

Nothing beats cracking open an ice-cold drink on a hot summer day. And with backyard BBQs and pool parties ramping up, having a ready supply of ice is a must. As one of America‘s favorite budget-friendly grocery chains, many shoppers wonder – does Aldi sell bags of ice?

Unfortunately, the short answer is no, Aldi does not currently sell bagged ice at their 2,000+ stores across the United States as of 2023. But why not, and where can you pick it up instead on your next Aldi run? Let‘s dive into the details.

Why Doesn‘t Aldi Sell Bagged Ice?

While Aldi has never officially commented on their lack of ice offerings, industry experts point to their unique business model as the reason:

• Minimal inventory. With just 1,400 products on average, Aldi stocks far fewer items than traditional supermarkets. For comparison, the typical Kroger or Publix stocks over 40,000 products – nearly 30X more than Aldi! They don‘t have room for ice chests.

• Tight spaces. Aldi stores are notoriously compact with only about 12,000 square feet on average per location. Most other discount and grocery chains range from 20,000 – 60,000+ square feet. Their smaller footprint leaves little space for ice merchandising.

• Focus on non-perishables. To keep costs down, Aldi primarily stocks shelf-stable pantry items and frozen goods. Perishable ice doesn‘t fit their inventory strategy.

According to 2022 annual reports, Aldi turns over inventory every 10-15 days on average to maximize sales and profit margins. So ice bags would tie up precious warehouse space for limited revenue.

Where Can You Buy Bagged Ice Near Aldi?

While you won‘t find bags of ice chilling inside Aldi, plenty of major retailers located nearby offer ice for sale seasonally:

Big Box Stores

• Walmart
• Sam‘s Club
• Costco
• BJ‘s Wholesale Club

Grocery Chains

• Kroger
• Publix
• H-E-B
• Albertsons
• Winn Dixie

Convenience/Gas Stations

• 7-Eleven
• Wawa
• Circle K
• QuikTrip

Warehouse Clubs

• The Home Depot
• Lowe‘s
• Ace Hardware

Check for the closest location where you can pick up ice along with your Aldi grocery haul. Or consider delivery services like Instacart or Shipt that let you add ice from other stores to your Aldi order.

Ice Bag Size and Price Comparison

Across most major retailers, you‘ll pay approximately $2 to $3 per 7-10 lb. bag, $3 to $4 for 12-16 lbs., and $4 to $6 for 20+ lb. bags. Larger ice bags offer the best value per pound. Watch for deals in weekly circulars too!

6 Tips for Keeping Ice Frozen Longer

Buying ice more than 1-2 days in advance often leads to premature melting. Follow these pro tips to keep bags frozen solid for your party:

• Wrap ice in towels or blankets to provide extra insulation.
• Store ice in the freezer until ready to load coolers if space allows.
• Fill a secondary cooler with only ice to limit openings of the drink cooler.
• Drain ice cooler meltwater regularly so bags stay dry.
• Add salt to lower the freezing point of the ice.
• Keep coolers out of direct sun when outside.

The Forecast for Aldi and Ice

While ice may be the lone grocery Aldi doesn‘t carry, their business strategy indicates no plans to add it anytime soon. Limited space and a focus on rapid inventory turnover of mostly non-perishables necessitates leaving ice bags out in the cold…literally!

But with so many convenient nearby options for one-stop Aldi grocery and ice runs, staying cool this summer won‘t be a problem.