Aldi confirms major change shoppers have been waiting for

Aldi Australia has confirmed a major change to its popular Special Buys range.

From this week, items in the discount grocery retailer's Special Buys range will be available via DoorDash.

But they may cost more, and the really heavy items won't be included. But basically, this means shoppers can purchase Special Buys online for the first time since Aldi launched in Australia in 2001 and have them delivered to their door.

Previously, Special Buys were only available in stores, despite Aldi having initially partnered with DoorDash in July 2025.

Victorian shoppers will be the first in the country to have access, from January 7, starting with Aldi's back to school range.

Special Buys will be available on DoorDash nationwide from January 21.

The iconic range is released twice weekly both in store and now via DoorDash on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

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Simon Padovani-Ginies, Group Director at Aldi Australia, said it was "always our ambition to bring as much of the Aldi shopping experience customers know and love us for to on-demand delivery via DoorDash".

"Our Special Buys program is a big part of what makes Aldi truly Good Different. Launching Special Buys on DoorDash means that shoppers can now get high-quality everyday grocery essentials and our Good Different range of Special Buys items delivered direct to their doors."

Already, Aldi Special Buys attract large crowds of keen shoppers hoping to get their hands on exclusive deals.

It isn't known how the availability of the range on DoorDash will impact supplies.

Special Buys have included everything from air fryers and tech gadgets to fitness equipment, beauty buys and collectable gnomes.

Included in this week's back to school range are stationary essentials, lunch bags, boxes and containers, school bags and shoes, as well as tech for the classroom like cables and accessories.

Aldi Special Buys also included limited-time-only food lines.

Any Special Buys items deemed "heavy lifting" and requiring more than one person to carry them will be excluded from DoorDash delivery.

Shoppers can check the Aldi's 'storefront' on the DoorDash app or at DoorDash.com.au every Wednesday and Saturday to view which Special Buys products are available for order.

Pre-ordering for Special Buys products on DoorDash will not be available.

For shoppers keen on purchasing a particular Special Buys product, the best option to best ensure they get their hands on what they're after is to head into an Aldi store the day the item lands in the middle aisle, as has been the case up until now.

Products will feature on the Aldi storefront on the DoorDash app and feature a distinct "Special Buys" badge, making it super clear and easy for customers to spot.

Aldi shoppers can expect to pay higher prices when purchasing some Special Buys via the DoorDash app. Lower prices can be accessed in store.

Gavin Northey, Associate Professor at the Department of Marketing at Griffith University, told nine.com.au Aldi's Special Buys continue to be an important feature for the discount grocery retailer since first gaining popularity in the late 2000s.

Social media has only served to increase its popularity, with the option of home delivery serving to complete the loop for Aussie shoppers.

"Because of that social media activity, the narrative around the weekly special buys has shifted. Now, I would say the Special Buys are really less about some 'exotic treasure hunt', and more about identifying great value grocery shopping," Northey said.

"Aldi knows its customer base really well, and unlike the other supermarket chains, Aldi's offerings are always a little bit more unique.

"They might offer cheap steak and vegetables, as well as private label wine, discount BBQs and affordable camping gear. That unique flavour keeps Aldi offerings exciting and current."

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