There are regular rushes to Aldi branches when the SodaStar is on offer.
Aldi Nord now offers permanently refillable cylinders and attacks the market leader SodaStream head-on.
Mülheim - The majority of Germans buy cheap mineral water in one-way returnable bottles.
But not only carrying the water boxes is a problem.
The empties usually end up in recycling, but there is still a lot of plastic waste.
Environmentally friendly consumption works differently.
An alternative is the soda maker: Here tap water is carbonated and the used bottles can be reused.
The "SodaStream" brand, headquartered in Tel Aviv, is the market leader in the field of soda makers.
This is exactly what Aldi has been attacking for two years with its own product “SodaStar”.
In a press release, the Aldi Nord Group is now making it clear that they don't just want to sell sodas, but also get into the business with the carbon dioxide cylinders required for this on a permanent basis.
Soda maker: sustainable alternative
The refillable cylinders will be permanently included in the range of Aldi Nord branches. Aldi Nord thus follows the major corporate line, the carbon dioxide containers have been available in Aldi Süd branches since 2019. According to the press release, the price for a cylinder change is EUR 5.79, and a new one is EUR 19.99. The special thing about it: Aldi also swaps cylinders from other manufacturers as long as they are identical. For comparison: With “SodaStream” the cost of a replacement is around seven euros, a new cylinder can be found online for around 26 euros.
"We are pleased that with the SodaStar and the appropriate cylinders we are offering our customers an alternative that not only makes it easier to buy water, but also provides added value for the environment," says Tobias Heinbockel, Managing Director at Aldi Nord.
The use of the cylinder saves transport routes and thus CO2.
Customers who are interested in the “SodaStar” from Aldi, however, have to keep their eyes open.
So far, this has only been sold through action programs.
One thing is clear: More and more customers are paying attention to sustainability.
Aldi's SodaStar could thus become a serious competitor for the market leader.