ALDI has spoken out about a controversial self-checkout policy rumored to affect at stores soon.
The supposed change has been circulating on social media in recent weeks, but the supermarket chain has set the record straight.
Aldi has spoken out about a checkout change (stock image)[/caption]
Self-checkout kiosks are staying at Aldi, for the most part (stock image)[/caption]
No, Aldi is not planning to conduct widespread removals of self-checkout kiosks, according to what a spokesperson confirmed to Supermarket News.
While there have been adjustments at a few of its 2,568 stores nationwide, self-checkouts are here to stay at many of them as another option for customers.
“At Aldi, our top priority is delivering customers with a simple and seamless shopping experience,” the spokesperson said.
“We continually test and refine our in-store technologies and checkout options to better address customer needs and enhance operational efficiency.”
“As part of this process, we have adjusted checkout formats in select locations to ensure we’re offering the best shopping experience possible while delivering exceptional value,” they added.
“Self-checkout will remain available at many Aldi stores and our approach is designed to evolve with customer feedback and new opportunities to innovate.”
Retail Dominick Miserandino also told The US Sun in an exclusive conversation that there’s likely two crucial reasons Aldi would remove self-checkouts from any store: customer dissatisfaction or theft rates.
“Shoppers don’t go to stores for the experience of being their own cashier,” he said, arguing that self-checkouts have become a costly feature for retailers despite the goal to save the brands money.
“At its core, we go to retail for experiences, and Aldi may simply be returning to that experiential fact.”
The confirmation of self-service remaining at most Aldi stores from the stores does come after several reports of the opposite.
A Reddit thread from earlier this month saw a customer claim that seven self-checkouts were taken out from their local Aldi in Chicago, Illinois.
“An employee said some days they lost up to $7,000 in inventory,” they wrote.
“I’ve seen a few snatch and runs of detergent, so I’m not sure what the ratio of shoplifting to skip-scanning is.”
Others in California, Maryland, and Missouri argued that the same thing was happening.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, that test run has been phased out.
At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.
Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.
As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.
Shoppers have also spotted their local Walmart stores restricting customers to 15 items or less to use self-checkout machines.
Based on the spokesperson’s statement, this will remain on a store-by-store basis.
MIXED FEELINGS
Aldi started testing self-checkout back in 2021, and by the summer of this year, they were available at hundreds of its stores.
Many shoppers also still prefer self-checkout, according to a survey conducted by Axios Chicago.
At least 54% said they prefer the kiosks over traditional cashiered lanes.
Still, many consumers have still issued complaints over not having enough cashiers at several top retailers, including Walmart, Target, and Kroger among others.
Some, like Target, are adjusting for more of a balance.
In March 2024, the retail giant not only confirmed it would open more cashiered lanes, but self-checkout hours are adjusted on a store-by-store basis and there’s a limit of 10 items to use the kiosks.
TAKE IT AWAY
Discount stores like Dollar General have even eliminated self-checkout entirely.
Instead, CEO Todd Vasos confirmed that there would be assisted checkout areas for a more personalized shopping experience.
Additionally, Trader Joe’s has never had any self-checkout kiosks and has been vocal about never having plans to include them.
Walmart has even cut back on self-checkout at select locations, similar to Aldi.
A huge self-checkout change is also coming to many stores starting September 21.
At least three states have even implemented new self-checkout laws that will change how shoppers buy groceries, and many Americans could face $10,000 fines as a result.
