Hey, author here; it's mentioned in here—same magazine as the Consumers' Research Bulletin, its name just evolved over time. If it was the 1970s, it was before Consumers' Research became an astroturfing organization.
I think it depends on the market, honestly. Trader Joe's and Aldi coexist in DC, where I'm at, though TJ is seen as more of an upmarket brand so it tends to be near Georgetown, in Bethesda, and on 14th Street, while the Aldi in DC is in the Northeast part of the city.
I wish I had some cookie butter right now, in fact. ;)
Thanks for throwing up my piece, Miss C!