AN Aldi worker has expressed their grievances about a change at the German grocer that both staff and shoppers have not taken kindly to.
As the retailer continues to roll out the layout switch-up, the employee pleaded with a customer to take up their complaints with corporate in a bid to reverse the change.
Aldi is continuing to implement a store layout change that workers and shoppers alike are not fans of[/caption]
Aldi customers have shared a number of complaints about the German grocer’s updated layout[/caption]
Aldi is currently undergoing a major store layout change at many of its over 2,400 US spots as part of an ongoing initiative to improve the shopping experience and expand its fresh food offerings.
These updates have been rolling out across different regions, with one of the big changes being the relocation of fresh produce to the front of the store.
Another major – and highly controversial – change Aldi implemented in its renovated stores is consolidated aisles that are longer and sometimes unbroken.
These wider aisles were designed to optimize the store layout for better navigation and a more modern feel.
However, the changes has caused much contention among shoppers, who find the aisles to be congested and confusing.
Aldi customers have not been shy to express their frustrations online, with one Reddit user complaining that they “hated” the new store format in a post from Thursday.
“When checked out the other day I told the cashier, ‘I know you probably don’t care, but I don’t like this new layout. It’s hard to find anything!’” recounted the shopper.
They shared that a second cashier had chimed in, saying that Aldi employees likewise were not fond of the changes, encouraging the customer to call corporate with their complaints.
“Three long big aisles with no break in between? No organization to the aisles either? It was a cluster,” vented the shopper.
ALDI ATTACKS
Social media is filled with endless complaints about Aldi’s new store format.
Aldi fan Sarah Lumont posted a photo of her local store’s rearranged aisles on Facebook and shared that her location had essentially made the change overnight, pushing her to believe that she was in the wrong store.
“My mental shopping map is totally out the window,” she cried. “I will have to re-think my entire formerly efficient shopping route. I had it down to a science.”
Other Aldi customers on Reddit complained that their local store had been updated with the new layout for weeks, yet they were still unable to find anything “because the organization makes no sense.”
Another shopper agreed that their local Aldi was a “total mess now.”
An Aldi shopper shared a photo of her local store’s updated layout, complaining that it was confusing[/caption]
“You got lounge pants next to the Trader Joe’s knockoff chili onion crunch oil and gardening supplies next to some chomps beef sticks and then some bespoke summer grilling seasonings with diapers next to it,” they wrote.
Others were upset that the grocer eliminated the center aisle, forcing shoppers to walk all the way to the back of the store to get to another aisle.
“It’s just long, unbroken walls of product. Each endless aisle is its own special traffic jam of carts and employees unloading pallets,” wrote one user, sharing that they spend much less at Aldi now because the new layout makes them want to leave quickly.
“I’m seriously considering finding a new store. The layout is so unhinged. Please tell me they’re not doing this to all their stores?!” they cried.
How to cut the cost of your grocery shop
BELOW are some tips on how to reduce the amount you spend on groceries.
- Write yourself a list – Only buy items that you need. If it isn’t on your list, don’t put it in the trolley
- Create a budget – Work out a weekly budget for your food shopping
- Never shop hungry – You are far more likely to buy more food if your tummy is rumbling
- Don’t buy pre-chopped veggies or fruit – The extra they’ll charge for chopping can be eye watering
- Use social media – Follow your favourite retailers to find out about the latest deals
- Be disloyal – You may want to go to different stores to find the best bargains
- Check the small print – It’s always worth checking the price per kg/lb/litre when comparing offers so you’re making a like for like decision as a bigger box won’t necessarily mean you get more
- Use your loyalty cards – Don’t be afraid to sign up to them all. They all work slightly differently – work out what bonus suits you better and remember to trade in your points for additional rewards
COSTCO COPYCAT
While Aldi shoppers are strongly against the new store layout, many believe that the change was an intentional move by corporate.
“Move sh** around so you have to look around more and then you find something to buy you weren’t planning to. No breaks in aisles so that you have to traverse the whole area,” explained a Redditor.
The shopping switch mirrors that of the Costco model, characterized by a store layout that forces customers to hunt for their items.
The warehouse club lacks aisle signs unlike most traditional grocery stores, a deliberate strategy to encourage shoppers to discover items they were not initially planning to buy.
This “treasure hunt” experience is intended to hike a member’s shopping time and potentially increase sales.
Although the layout makes Costco’s frequent inventory changes easier, it also encourages impulse buys.
As Aldi continues to roll out its layout changes, the retailer has also set out to open 10 new stores, promising to be “aggressive” in a warning to rivals.
Plus, the store is selling a $9.99 “decorative” backyard essential perfect for getting garden ready – it’s $24 cheaper than Walmart.
Aldi is consolidating its aisles, making them longer and sometimes unbroken[/caption]
Aldi’s store layout renovations are similar to Costco’s store model[/caption]
