ALDI CEO has begun rolling out new in-store changes for customers after hearing feedback from shoppers.
The German supermarket chain will now put the name ‘Aldi’ on nearly every product sold in store, bosses announced.
Aldi is the fastest-growing supermarket in the US[/caption]
Atty McGrath, who became CEO of the discount grocer on September 1, said: “The new look and feel of our products is the next step in our journey to modernize our simpler, quicker shopping experience.”
More than 90 per cent of items sold in Aldi stores are exclusive to the chain – and will now have Aldi’s name on them.
Scott Patton, the company’s chief commercial officer, said: “Our customers already call our private labels ‘ALDI brands,’ and we’re excited to officially recognize them with a name they can see and trust.”
Bosses have ordered the change, and it will take a few years for every product to feature the brand’s name.
It comes after Aldi rolled out a controversial store change, copying similar moves over at retail rivals Target and Walmart.
As the German-based grocer slowly switches up its self-checkout operations, shoppers have taken notice and are expressing their concerns on social media.
Aldi fans across the country in states including Illinois, California, Maryland, and Missouri have been reporting that their local stores are axing the self-service machines.
For example, a shopper noted on Reddit last week that their Aldi in Old Town, Chicago, had removed all seven of the machines, with an employee informing them that shoplifting was to blame.
“An employee said some days they lost up to $7,000 in inventory,” wrote the customer.
A second Aldi shopper on Reddit cried that they were “really bummed” to see the machines disappear at their local store, adding that a worker had informed them that they were not going to be brought back.
WHY THE CHANGE?
Aldi initially started testing self-checkout as a pilot program in 2021, and by this summer, the grocer had installed them in hundreds of its more than 2,500 US locations.
As the chain reduces its reliance on self-checkout, the company is exploring AI-powered payment systems.
Some Aldi fans have speculated that the German grocer is plotting to swap out the kiosks for the newer systems, similar to the ones Sam’s Club is rolling out at its US stores.
Anti-theft measures rolled out by retailers
Retailers across the US and Canada have rolled out strategies designed to combat theft. The U.S. Sun has compiled a list of measures that have been implemented at stores.
- Locking items in cabinets
- Security pegs
- Security cameras
- Signs warning about the impact of theft
- Receipt scanners
- Receipt checks
- Carts with locking technology
Meanwhile, one Aldi customer was left fuming after changes to products on offer left their shop more expensive.
The furious shopper took to Reddit to vent their frustration.
To begin with, they lauded the store for having a “limited footprint” compared to other grocery stores.
But they added: “I have noticed, mostly since the pandemic, that they are using more and more of that space for name-brand products.
“At first, I was like, ‘Alright, it’s just a product here or there.’ Now, it’s more and more.”
The customer cited examples of where they have noticed the worrying trend.
“It is interfering with their products. As an example, I wanted to get one of their boullion containers.
“They used to have small jars of chicken and beef. Instead? Half, and I kid you not, half of that aisle is now filled with assorted Campbell’s soups.
“This is just an example.
“They also removed a whole six endcaps recently only for signage, removing many products there, as well.”
An Aldi store on February 28, 2025 in San Diego, California[/caption]
