Aldi supermarkets dropped a couple of gifts in Twin Cities' stockings for the holidays--coupons and credit cards.

The retailer that used to accept only a select number of debit cards is now accepting all credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. "Minnesota and a few stores in Syracuse, New York are the two limited test markets in the country," said Matt Lilla, divisional vice-president of Aldi in Faribault, Minn.

The test began in November and customers and cashiers have both welcomed it enthusiastically, Lilla said.

In Sunday's Star Tribune (Dec. 14), Aldi also included a single glossy sheet (shown) with a $5 off coupon off a $30 purchase. The coupon offers are a first for Aldi this year, with a similar one running around Thanksgiving."We're hoping to attract shoppers who may be looking for a new grocery store after Rainbow closed," said Lilla.

The offer comes as somewhat of a surprise considering that Aldi does not accept manufactuers' coupons. Until this season, I never saw sit offer store coupons either.