Aldi shoppers won't want to miss this new item

For some shoppers, the days of digging around for a quarter before heading to Aldi are�over.

Don��t get too excited though. The discount grocer isn��t getting rid of its system for renting carts, which�company officials say is one way it keeps prices low.

For a limited time, Aldi is selling a special keychain quarter holder for 99 cents plus tax.

"The quarter holder ties to our cart policy and ensures you are never without a quarter when shopping at Aldi,"�said Chris Hewitt, the company's Royal Palm Beach division vice president in a statement. The 25-cent deposit for a grocery cart saves customers money, Hewitt explained.

First, the frugal company doesn't have to have employees�spend�time retrieving carts. It also helps protects against cart theft.

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A new Aldi product will make shopping at the discount grocer a little easier. (Photo: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO FROM ALDI)

��A missing cart costs about $300 to replace, and we��d rather not pass those costs on to shoppers,�� Hewitt said. ��The system is simple. Shoppers deposit a quarter to use a cart at Aldi, and when they return the cart to the corral, they get their quarter back.��

The quarter holders are�being introduced through Aldi Finds, where the company features limited-time items. Products in this section vary by week and�can sell out quickly, Hewitt said.

"We bring in new items each week so people can always find unique and exciting items," Hewitt said. "These premium food and household products, often themed and tied to the season, are in stores for a limited time and keep our shoppers coming back to see what's new."

Aldi is selling different designs of the quarter holders, which can vary by location.

Similar quarter holders also are available on websites like�Etsy�and�eBay�but are a little more costly.

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All about Aldi

Here's what makes Aldi different from the typical grocery store:

Shopping carts:�You'll need a quarter to use a shopping cart at Aldi, but you'll get your money back as long as you return the cart.

Payment:�Aldi accepts cash, credit cards, most debit cards and food stamps, but not checks.

Bags:�Bring your own reusable bags or pay for plastic or paper bags. Customers also bag their groceries on the long counter at�the front of the store.

Size and selection:�Aldi stores�are smaller than your average Publix or Winn-Dixie and carry about 1,300 of the most commonly purchased grocery items through its private label.

Prices:�Shoppers save up to 50 percent on many items compared to the cost of like items at other stores.

Double guarantee:�If you're not 100 percent satisfied with a product, bring it back and Aldi will replace the product and refund your money.

Hours:�Stores are usually open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Kelly Tyko is a consumer columnist and retail reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers and�TCPalm.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Read her Bargainista tips at�TCPalm.com/Bargainista,�follow her on Twitter�@KellyTyko�and email her at�kelly.tyko@tcpalm.com.�Sign up for her weekly newsletter at�www.tcpalm.com/featured-newsletter/bargainistabest.�

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Sainsbury's sales growth slows

(Adds sales numbers from last year and share price)

J Sainsbury PLC (SBRY.LN) said Wednesday that sales growth slowed in the first quarter as it cut prices on key products due to a competitive U.K. grocery market.

Britain's second-largest grocer by market share also said that it has agreed to a 3.50 billion pounds ($4.61 billion) financing package with its existing banks and new institutions for its proposed merger with Asda Group Ltd. Sainsbury's current line of credit will increase to GBP2 billion from GBP1.5 billion, providing further financial flexibility to the combined group.

On April 30, Walmart Inc. WMT, +0.52% said it will sell its U.K. business, Asda, to Sainsbury in a deal worth GBP7.30 billion. If the tie-up is approved by Britain's Competition & Market Authority it would create the largest grocer in the U.K.

For the 16 weeks to June 30, Sainsbury said like-for-like retail sales rose 0.2% compared with 2.3% growth in the same period a year earlier. Total retail sales increased 0.8% verses a 2.7% growth last year.

Grocery sales also slowed with the group recording growth of 0.5% in the first quarter, compared with 3% the previous year and Sainsbury said it has invested GBP150 million to lower prices.

The bright spot in Sainbsury's first quarter was general merchandise, which saw sales rise 1.7% against 1% last year. However, clothing sales grew 0.8%, below the 7.2% growth reported a year earlier.

Sainsbury is losing out to rivals in its core grocery business, according to Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com, following data from Kantar Worldwide that said Sainsbury's sales and market share fell in the 12 weeks to June 17, in contrast with its peers. Sainsbury's sales fell 0.2%, while sales for Tesco PLC (TSCO.LN), Asda and Wm. Morrison Supermarkets PLC (MRW.LN) rose between 1.4% and 1.9% in the period. Meanwhile, sales at discount grocers Aldi increased 8.2% and grew 10% at Lidl.

Chief Executive Mike Coupe said general merchandise and clothing, including sales from the Argos catalogue business, "continue to outperform a very challenging market and we are well placed to further grow market share."

Mr Coupe said first-quarter headline numbers reflect price reductions the company made in key areas like fresh meat, fruit and vegetables since March. He said the market remains competitive, but the company has the right strategy in place and the Asda proposed merger will "create a dynamic new player in U.K. retail".

At 1030 GMT, Sainsbury shares were up 6.40 pence, or 2%, at 325 pence.