Aldi is entering the online grocery delivery market in Australia through a partnership with DoorDash, marking its first step into digital shopping in the country.

The trial, launched in Canberra, includes over 1800 grocery items and aims to expand across Australia before Christmas, providing a new convenience for holiday shoppers.

This move is a strategic response to the rising trend of online grocery shopping, which has seen competitors like Woolworths and Coles report significant growth in their digital sales.

Aldi's online delivery initiative is designed to compete more effectively with established players, expanding its market presence beyond traditional discount store shopping.

Unlike Coles and Woolworths, which have their own delivery systems with minimum spend requirements, Aldi has partnered with DoorDash and does not require a minimum order for delivery.

Certain high-demand items, such as Aldi's weekly 'special buys' and seasonal products, will not be available for delivery to ensure operational efficiency and product availability.

Aldi has acknowledged that online shopping costs will influence prices, with some items costing slightly more on DoorDash than in-store.

The delivery service will include a small markup, and the total cost for a typical basket can increase from around $48 in-store to approximately $58.88 with delivery fees.

Compared to competitors, a similar grocery basket from Coles costs about $75.36 and from Woolworths $71.19, highlighting the potential cost savings despite delivery fees.

Aldi has also revamped its website for better price comparison but has decided against offering click-and-collect services due to cost concerns.

This online expansion follows Aldi's recent milestone of opening its 600th store in Australia and reflects its ongoing efforts to adapt to changing consumer habits.