Placer.ai: Aldi, Trader Joe's, Lidl store visits outperforming wider grocery segment
So far this year, three grocers are outpacing the broader category when it comes to store visits.
According to a new report from retail traffic data firm Placer.ai, Aldi, Trader Joe’s and Lidl outpaced the broader grocery segment in the first six months of 2025, with year-over-year visit increases of 7.1%, 11.9% and 4.9%, respectively. Overall, the grocery category has seen a 1.5% increase in the first half of the year compared to 2024.
Growth has been consistent for Aldi, Trader Joe’s and Lidl as well, with each seeing visits increase monthly. The report, "Aldi, Trader Joe's and Lidl: Grocery's Power Trio," noted that all three chains offer a limited assortment of groceries and tend to operate at lower price points, but each one is carving out its own distinct path to growth.
Placer.ai’s data shows that even as Aldi expands its footprint, the chain continues to draw more average visits per location. Average visits per location were 1.6% higher than they were in 2024, 17.4% higher than in 2023, and 26.7% higher than in 2022. This, Placer.ai says, signals that Aldi’s new stores are being met by sustained and growing shopper interest instead of “cannibalizing” foot traffic from existing locations.
The continued success of Trade Joe’s is largely due to its massive footprint in the largest state – California. While operating more than 200 stores in the state, Trader Joe’s saw its relative visit share grow from 13.2% in the first half of 2019 to 15.7% in the first half of 2025, closing the gap between itself and top chains such as Safeway, Ralphs and Vons.
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Similar to Aldi, Lidl’s low-price, private label business model is attracting new guests. Placer.ai found that between 2019 and 2025, the chain grew its share of suburban, wealthy, and older segments – although the share of visitors falling into the “Singles and Starters” demographic segment has decreased.
Lidl’s expansion into the suburbs, and even some major cities, is increasing its popularity among nearly all consumers.
“Trader Joe’s, Aldi and Lidl continue to thrive despite a challenging retail environment,” said Bracha Arnold, content writer at Placer.ai. “And while all chains are known for their great deals, the different price points, audiences, and focuses underscore that their success is rooted in strategies beyond their value propositions.
