ALDI supermarket will be testing self-service checkouts at 10 stores throughout New South Wales.
The retailer opened the first of its new checkouts in their Darlinghurst retail store located in Sydney on June 2, 2013. 2.
ALDI stated that it would “closely” monitor the trial at the New South Wales stores before making a decision on whether to roll the registers nationwide.
However, in a twist ALDI’s self-service checkouts offer an “card only” payment option in contrast to Coles and Woolworths registers which accept coins, cash and credit cards.
ALDI announced that each of its self-service checkout aisles will be equipped with between six to eight registers.
“To provide our customers with quick and convenient ways to shop and to drive business efficiencies, this week we commenced a self-checkout trial in Darlinghurst,” ALDI Australia store director of operations Robert Eichfeld said.
“This was the store’s first in Australia to have been equipped with the latest technology, and nine more stores across NSW will be the next to follow in the coming months.
“Anecdotal comments from our initial morning of trial completely positive, with over 50% of our customers opting to make use of the self-checkouts that are now available.
“Shoppers were also able to say that they were pleased with the selection and were pleased with the ease of having an easy choice when they only need to shop for only a couple of items.
“Since self-checkouts entered the Australian grocery sector we’ve been watching with keen interest the convenience they provide customers as well as the value and efficiencies they drive for business.”
New baskets
Eichfeld stated that ALDI stores that have the new checkouts will also carry baskets to aid shoppers.
“We anticipate the trial will appeal to our regulars as well as attract new customers, who are purchasing only a few items at a time – and we’ll also be introducing ALDI baskets in all trial stores to aid these small and quick shops,” the spokesperson said.
“After carefully assessing and considering the trial results, there is potential that Self-Checkouts will be rolled out to more ALDI stores nationally.”
The announcement is a reversal to ALDI’s stance on self-service checkouts in the year 2019.
The supermarket at the time declared that it was not planning to put registers into the stores, and that research had proven “shoppers prefer face-to-face interactions at registers”.
ALDI shoppers divided
In response to the story posting on Facebook, ALDI fans were split on the self-serve registers.
A lot of people loved the idea and said it could simplify shopping and make it faster.
“Happy with this. It would be nice to complete two things more quickly. It’s always difficult to stay behind shops that have large sizes with one register running,” said one.
Add another: “Yes finally, they are great if you only have a few items, in and out quicker.”
And he added: “OMG, awesome! Nothing is more frustrating than going in for a few items and then having to wait for hours in line behind people who have trollies full.”
However, others were more cautious in the fear that the move could cause Australians jobs.
“I won’t use them, jobs for the future,” stated one.
Another version of the story was written: “There goes more jobs!”
Another time, he said: “I don’t work there therefore I’m not scanning my own items. It’s enough to have me take my own things home.”
A lot of people might see the humorous aspect of the latest registers.
“I’ll be sad to see the cashiers nearly dropping me the grocery items. Hahaha kiddin’! I love ALDI!” wrote one.
Another time: “I would miss my groceries piled up and pushed off the edge of the register when I couldn’t keep up.”
The third addition: “Yes! We’re already required to do everything, but scan it. It’s a good thing I can work in my own time with self-service instead of having my groceries delivered to me.”
