Aldi's

But to thousands of German bakers, Aldi's freshness claim is half-baked.

Fresh Test: Grocery Store Automats Get a Rise Out of German Bakers Vanessa Fuhrmans 2010

There is a move towards smaller food stores Walmart Express, Fresh & Easy, Trader Joe's, Aldi's, etc. with greatly reduced operational overheads and far fewer 'me-too' products on their shelves; apparently retailers are figuring out how to serve shoppers better and reduce their costs at the same time.

Phil Lempert: Are Increased Food Prices at Odds With Increasing Innovation? Phil Lempert 2012

Aldi's market share increased to 3.6% from 3.2%, while Lidl's share rose to 2.6% from 2.4%, according to recent figures from Kantar Worldpanel.

Asda to Invest in New U.K. Stores Jessica Hodgson 2012

So, Aldi's latest campaign sees it plugging in to this Facebook doo-dah all the chiddlers are digging on nowadays, urging viewers to "Like Aldi".

The Hard Sell: Aldi 2011

Aldi's stores in UK and Ireland fell to a £58m loss last year on sales of £2bn, while its smaller Danish rival Netto has quit the country, selling its stores to Asda.

'Aldi effect' fades as Big Four hit back and consumers lose taste for austerity shopping Zoe Wood 2010

That may not matter to customers such as Barbara Schultz, who recently bought one of Aldi's "rustic" rye-wheat breads.

Fresh Test: Grocery Store Automats Get a Rise Out of German Bakers Vanessa Fuhrmans 2010

In a statement, Aldi's joint group managing directors, Matthew Barnes and Roman Heini, blamed the slide into the red on a heavy investment programme: "We have invested significantly in upgrading all our existing stores and this has had an impact on the 2009 result."

'Aldi effect' fades as Big Four hit back and consumers lose taste for austerity shopping Zoe Wood 2010

Theo Albrecht did find a way to do business in America, however, when in 1979 he bought Trader Joe's, a young California grocery chain featuring Hawaiian shirt-wearing employees, inexpensive gourmet foods and a cost-cutting ethic that mirrored Aldi's.

Theo Albrecht, 88, dies; started Aldi food chain and expanded Trader Joe's 2010

Aldi's thrifty ways are a reflection of its founders 'personalities.

Theo Albrecht, 88, dies; started Aldi food chain and expanded Trader Joe's 2010

When Aldi's smoking video went viral, local government officials reached out to help, paying his way to the capital city of Jakarta where he received five weeks of intensive treatment with the National Commission for Child Protection.

Mara Schiavocampo: Smoking Toddler Quits; Other Kids Still Lighting Up (PHOTOS, VIDEO) Mara Schiavocampo 2010