Founded in Germany in $1946,$ ALDI has grown to be one of the leading discount supermarket chains in the world with over $$28$ billion in sales in $2019.$ The company now has over $2,000$ stores in $36$ states in the U$.$S$.,$ which employ over $25,000$ employees. The chain is on track to become the third$-$largest grocery retailer by store count by the end of $2022.$ To keep its costs low while serving the needs of customers, ALDI stocks notable U$.$S$.$ name brands along with a large variety of products sourced from around the globe, and ALDI$$s private label brands were named the most preferred among U$.$S$.$ consumers.

Contributing to this growth is ALDI$$s business model of providing great quality at the best price, fair and honest products, and efficient business processes. In its Corporate Responsibility Principles, ALDI defines its commitment to people and the planet. These principles focus on customers, supply chain, people, community, and environment.

An integral part of ALDI$$s operational approach involves supporting efforts to provide a living wage and protect human rights throughout Its global supply chain. Additionally, the company works to ensure that members of its supply chain respect the environment and animal welfare rights. This includes a commitment to sustainable product packaging. One way that the company puts this environmental commitment into practice is to require customers to bring their own reusable bags or containers to the store when they shop. The company does not provide plastic or paper bags at the register. For its environmental efforts, ALDI received a $2019$ GreenChill Store Certification and the $2020$ Green Power Leadership Award from the U$.$S$.$ Environmental Protection Agency $($EPA$).$

$1.$ Why do you think ALDI might have such a loyal customer base?

$2.$ Do you believe that the commitments espoused by the company matter and make a difference when customers are deciding where to shop for groceries? Explain.

$3.$ Based on what you read above, on its website, and on an Internet search for the company, what do think about their approach to satisfying customer needs?

$4.$ Is this a company that you would patronize as a customer? Why or why not?

$5.$ Would you want to work for this company? Why or why not?