The checkout revolution is taking a curious twist across the Pacific.
While ALDI stores in America are quietly removing their self-serve machines, ALDI Australia is heading in the completely opposite direction—and implementing some interesting new rules along the way.
It's a tale of two countries with very different shopping philosophies, and the outcome could reshape how we all do our weekly shop.
Australia bucks the global trend
ALDI Australia has revealed it has no plans to remove self-checkouts across its supermarket network, after it emerged that several of its international stores would no longer be offering the service. In fact, they're doing quite the opposite.
ALDI will be adding more self-checkouts to stores across Australia, as another way to keep our shoppers satisfied. This expansion comes after what the company describes as successful trials, with more than half of customers opting to use the new self-checkouts on the very first day they were introduced.
The German-owned discount chain has been watching the self-checkout space carefully for over a decade. '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,' says ALDI Store Operations Director Robert Eichfeld.
'Self-checkouts are not only efficient for our customers, but also support our business operations'
New rules changing how you shop
But it's not just about adding more machines. ALDI in Australia is implementing new checkout rules, like scanning items before trolleys at self-service, sparking Reddit debates on theft prevention and rollout scope.
This means you'll need to scan your purchases before you can access your trolley—a notable change from the traditional ALDI experience where you'd pack everything back into your trolley first, then sort it out at the packing benches.
The retailer has also introduced something that was notably absent for years: shopping baskets. 'We'll also be introducing ALDI baskets in all trial stores to aid these small and quick shops.' This addresses one of the biggest complaints from customers doing smaller shopping trips.
Why America is saying goodbye to self-serve
Meanwhile, across the Pacific, it's a completely different story. Across the US, Aldi customers reported that a number of stores had gradually been reducing self-serve kiosks, with some locations now not offering them at all.
During the summer of 2025, Aldi customers began posting to social media about self-checkout systems disappearing from their local stores. The American arm of ALDI confirmed that while checkouts 'will remain available at many stores', they had been indefinitely scrapped in others.
Who else is removing self-checkouts globally?
Walmart (removed from stores in New Mexico, Missouri, and Ohio)
Dollar General (keeping only in 'higher-volume and low-shrink' locations)
Safeway California stores
WinCo (Portland, Oregon and Billings, Montana locations)
UK grocery chain Booths
The driving force appears to be theft. Online theories suggest theft could be the true driver behind the move. In June 2025, a Walmart in Shrewsbury, Missouri, axed all of its self-checkout lanes at once, hoping to reduce the huge volume of police calls from the store regarding shoplifting.
Good news for those who prefer human service
Here's what matters most for shoppers who aren't fans of technology: ALDI Australia has made a clear commitment that you'll always have a choice.
'While self-checkouts are a convenient way for customers to shop, our staffed checkouts remain a crucial component of every ALDI store in Australia.'
This is particularly important for older shoppers who may find the technology challenging or simply prefer the human interaction that comes with traditional service. ALDI customers have told the company they prefer face-to-face interactions—and the retailer is listening.
'Self-checkouts are not only efficient for our customers, but also support our business operations by freeing up our employees to focus on customer service, stock replenishment and store presentation,' ALDI Australia Director of National Store Operations Hayden Pierce told retail industry publication.
The theft factor hits close to home
Australia isn't immune to the retail crime concerns driving changes overseas. The IGA in the inner Brisbane suburb of Greenslopes shut down its self-serve checkouts last year, with a sign citing a 'significant increase in shoplifting' as the reason behind the move.
Industry experts suggest the problem is significant. While I wasn't able to find the most recent 2025 figures, QUT retail expert Gary Mortimer has previously indicated that shoplifting costs Australian retailers billions annually, affecting businesses of all sizes.
What ALDI's approach means for you
- More self-checkout options available but never mandatory
- Traditional staffed checkouts will always remain
- New rules may slow down the self-serve process slightly
- Shopping baskets now available for smaller shops
- Same low prices maintained through operational efficiencies
Looking ahead: the future of checkout choice
At ALDI, we make business decisions in line with our low-cost model so we can consistently provide high quality groceries at the lowest prices. This philosophy appears to be driving their commitment to self-checkouts as a cost-saving measure, even as other retailers retreat.
The retailer is trialing grocery delivery via DoorDash in select areas, comparing favorably on price against rivals like Coles and Woolworths. This suggests ALDI is embracing technology across multiple fronts, not just in-store checkout.
The contrast between Australia and America highlights how local shopping preferences and economic conditions can drive very different retail strategies. While American stores battle theft concerns, Australian operations seem confident they can make the technology work within their existing business model.
What's your checkout preference?
Whether you're someone who appreciates the speed of self-service or prefers the personal touch of a staffed checkout, ALDI's approach suggests you'll continue to have both options. The key difference moving forward might be those new scanning rules and the addition of shopping baskets.
Have you noticed the changes at your local ALDI? Are you comfortable using self-checkouts, or do you prefer the traditional checkout experience? We'd love to hear about your experiences with the evolving checkout landscape in the comments below.
Primary Source
https://au.news.yahoo.com/aldi-deni...ontroversial-move-in-us-stores-012640085.html
Aldi denies major checkout change after controversial move in US stores
Cited text: Aldi Australia has revealed it has no plans to remove self-checkouts across its supermarket network, after it emerged that several of its internationa...
Excerpt: ALDI Australia has revealed it has no plans to remove self-checkouts across its supermarket network, after it emerged that several of its international stores would no longer be offering the service.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/aldi-deni...ontroversial-move-in-us-stores-012640085.html
Check it out: All your ALDI self-checkout questions answered—Aldi Unpacked
Cited text: As a result, ALDI will be adding more self-checkouts to stores across Australia, as another way to keep our shoppers satisfied.
Excerpt: ALDI will be adding more self-checkouts to stores across Australia, as another way to keep our shoppers satisfied.
https://www.aldiunpacked.com.au/check-it-out-all-your-aldi-self-checkout-questions-answered/
ALDI launch their first self-serve checkout in Australia
Cited text: “Feedback from the first day was overwhelmingly positive with more than half of our customers opting to use the new self-checkouts,” says Robert.
Excerpt: more than half of customers opting to use the new self-checkouts
https://www.bhg.com.au/aldi-self-serve-checkouts
ALDI launch their first self-serve checkout in Australia
Cited text: “Since Self-Checkouts entered the Australian grocery sector, we’ve been watching with keen interest the convenience they provide customers as well as ...
Excerpt: '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,' says ALDI Store Operations Director…
https://www.bhg.com.au/aldi-self-serve-checkouts
ALDI Australia Enforces New Self-Checkout Rules Amid Expansions
Cited text: ALDI in Australia is implementing new checkout rules, like scanning items before trolleys at self-service, sparking Reddit debates on theft prevention...
Excerpt: ALDI in Australia is implementing new checkout rules, like scanning items before trolleys at self-service, sparking Reddit debates on theft prevention and rollout scope.
https://www.webpronews.com/aldi-australia-enforces-new-self-checkout-rules-amid-expansions/
ALDI launch their first self-serve checkout in Australia
Cited text: “We’ll also be introducing ALDI baskets in all trial stores to aid these small and quick shops.” ...
Excerpt: 'We'll also be introducing ALDI baskets in all trial stores to aid these small and quick shops.'
https://www.bhg.com.au/aldi-self-serve-checkouts
Aldi denies major checkout change after controversial move in US stores
Cited text: Across the US, Aldi customers reported that a number of stores had gradually been reducing self-serve kiosks, with some locations now not offering the...
Excerpt: Across the US, Aldi customers reported that a number of stores had gradually been reducing self-serve kiosks, with some locations now not offering them at all.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/aldi-deni...ontroversial-move-in-us-stores-012640085.html
Aldi Is Removing Self-Checkout Lanes—And It's Not The Only Grocery Store Doing This. Here Are The Others So Far
Cited text: During the summer of 2025, Aldi customers began posting to social media about self-checkout systems disappearing from their local stores.
Excerpt: During the summer of 2025, Aldi customers began posting to social media about self-checkout systems disappearing from their local stores.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/aldi-removing-self-checkout-lanes-183000601.html
Aldi denies major checkout change after controversial move in US stores
Cited text: The supermarket did not state how many stores will lose or have already lost their self-checkout kiosks, but online theories suggest theft could be th...
Excerpt: Online theories suggest theft could be the true driver behind the move.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/aldi-deni...ontroversial-move-in-us-stores-012640085.html
Aldi Is Removing Self-Checkout Lanes—And It's Not The Only Grocery Store Doing This. Here Are The Others So Far
Cited text: In June 2025, a Walmart in Shrewsbury, Missouri, axed all of its self-checkout lanes at once, hoping to reduce the huge volume of police calls from th...
Excerpt: In June 2025, a Walmart in Shrewsbury, Missouri, axed all of its self-checkout lanes at once, hoping to reduce the huge volume of police calls from the store regarding shoplifting.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/aldi-removing-self-checkout-lanes-183000601.html
Check it out: All your ALDI self-checkout questions answered—Aldi Unpacked
Cited text: While self-checkouts are a convenient way for customers to shop, our staffed checkouts remain a crucial component of every ALDI store in Australia.
Excerpt: 'While self-checkouts are a convenient way for customers to shop, our staffed checkouts remain a crucial component of every ALDI store in Australia.'
https://www.aldiunpacked.com.au/check-it-out-all-your-aldi-self-checkout-questions-answered/
ALDI introduces self-checkouts in stores | RW
Cited text: “While self-checkouts are a convenient way for customers to shop, our staffed checkouts remain a crucial component of every ALDI store in Australia.
Excerpt: 'While self-checkouts are a convenient way for customers to shop, our staffed checkouts remain a crucial component of every ALDI store in Australia.'
https://retailworldmagazine.com.au/aldi-introduces-self-checkouts-in-stores/
ALDI launch their first self-serve checkout in Australia
Cited text: For more than a decade after Woolworths and Coles launched self-serve checkouts, ALDI set themselves apart by honouring the wants and needs of their c...
Excerpt: ALDI customers have told the company they prefer face-to-face interactions
https://www.bhg.com.au/aldi-self-serve-checkouts
Aldi Australia expands self-checkout options | Kiosk Marketplace
Cited text: 'Self-checkouts are not only efficient for our customers, but also support our business operations by freeing up our employees to focus on customer se...
Excerpt: 'Self-checkouts are not only efficient for our customers, but also support our business operations by freeing up our employees to focus on customer service, stock replenishment and store presentation,' ALDI Australia Director of National…
https://www.kioskmarketplace.com/news/aldi-australia-expands-self-checkout-options/
Aldi denies major checkout change after controversial move in US stores
Cited text: The IGA in the inner Brisbane suburb of Greenslopes shut down its self-serve checkouts last year, with a sign citing a 'significant increase in shopli...
Excerpt: The IGA in the inner Brisbane suburb of Greenslopes shut down its self-serve checkouts last year, with a sign citing a 'significant increase in shoplifting' as the reason behind the move.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/aldi-deni...ontroversial-move-in-us-stores-012640085.html
Check it out: All your ALDI self-checkout questions answered—Aldi Unpacked
Cited text: At ALDI, we make business decisions in line with our low-cost model so we can consistently provide high quality groceries at the lowest prices.
Excerpt: At ALDI, we make business decisions in line with our low-cost model so we can consistently provide high quality groceries at the lowest prices.
https://www.aldiunpacked.com.au/check-it-out-all-your-aldi-self-checkout-questions-answered/
ALDI Australia Enforces New Self-Checkout Rules Amid Expansions
Cited text: The retailer is trialing grocery delivery via DoorDash in select areas, comparing favorably on price against rivals like Coles and Woolworths.
Excerpt: The retailer is trialing grocery delivery via DoorDash in select areas, comparing favorably on price against rivals like Coles and Woolworths.
https://www.webpronews.com/aldi-australia-enforces-new-self-checkout-rules-amid-expansions/
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