The discount food and a-bit-of-everything-else chain, which opened two outlets, in Dublin and Cork, was seized by the type of demand normally reserved for the last shopping day before Christmas.
People of all shapes and sizes bustled through five-foot high stacks of goods, characteristic of the chain's no frills philosophy.
In nine hours of trading, the Dublin store recorded around 3,500 customers, clearing out 500 14-inch ALVA televisions alone (price: £69 each). Indeed, the next consignment is already sold out. Some 2,500 potential customers visited the Cork outlet.
A company spokeswoman said that it was a "phenomenal" first day's trading, with the flood of customers far exceeding the company's expectations.
Aldi's own-brand products are well designed, even if much of the packaging bears a striking similarity to well-known brands.
The approach certainly seemed to have caught shoppers' imagination, with Ms Catherine O'Sullivan from North Dublin expressing thoughts echoed by many customers.
"It is very cheap and seems to have a good selection, especially for people with big families. It's definitely a good place to come to do a big shop."
With bread at 35p a loaf, eggs at 39p a half dozen, triple CD players at £59 and queues to checkouts stretching half the length of the store, quality, bargains and simplicity could be a winning formula.
