Aldi Will Not Introduce Self-Checkout

A huge part of Aldi’s ability to keep prices low is due to the way the company does business. It is able to pay its employees higher wages while keeping cost low elsewhere. How do they do this? Well, for one, they don’t fall into the same pitfalls other supermarkets do. In fact, Aldi oftentimes speaks out about what other companies are doing wrong.

The company has listened to consumer feedback as well as taken a close look at their direct competitors like Woolworth’s and Cole’s. They have made sure to take where other companies fail as well as what Aldi customers have to say into account when they make big business decisions.

Most recently, Aldi introduced more gluten-free and healthy food items to its shelves due to consumer demand for the items in the store. Another huge consumer hot-button at Aldi is the checkout lanes.

Because Aldi pays its workers higher wages, it does not employ as many people as a regular supermarket. The company also keeps shelf stocking simple by putting pallets directly on the floor. It also usually only has one to two registers open at one time. Their cashiers get to sit on a stool and don’t have to bag, which makes the process pretty quick. However, with more and more customers flocking into Aldi stores throughout the world, lines become long pretty quickly. This can be extremely frustrating for people who come to Aldi regularly.

What About Aldi Self-Checkout?

Many consumers have spoken out about the lack of registers being open. Some people may suggest a self-checkout option at the discount grocer. However, Aldi has spoken out and said that it will never introduce self-checkout to its stores. The company’s main competitors, Cole’s and Woolworth’s, operate 70 percent of their checkout procedure with self-checkout machines. Aldi said that this is a waste of time and money.

A spokesperson for Aldi said that the company’s customers actually prefer the face-to-face interaction with the cashier. Although, at times, Aldi checkout can take a bit longer, it takes far less time than self-checkout in many cases. Oftentimes, self-checkout systems only offer up frustration for customers who leave flustered after trying to use the self-service machines. Self-checkout also requires monitoring of some sort and oftentimes customers need help operating the system, so why not just operate a cash register?

In addition to the fact that Aldi customers seem to like having a physical cashier, the company has also pointed out that Aldi-brand items have more than one barcode. This makes scanning items much quicker than at other supermarkets (if you’ve ever seen an Aldi cashier scan, you know how quick they are). “Aldi’s checkouts operate with industry-leading efficiency,” said the spokesperson.

Aldi does not offer (and doesn’t plan to offer) self-checkout. However, the checkout (although lines may be a little lone) are the most efficient. By saving time, cutting down on labor costs and computer costs, Aldi is able to save money for the company and its customers by just keeping it simple.

Photo: Flickr: Mike Mozart