When it comes to business, change is often seen as a good thing. After all, to stay relevant and keep up with the competition, businesses need to be constantly evolving. However, sometimes change can be a gamble – and it doesn’t always pay off.

There have been several instances where retailers have made major changes to their businesses, only to scrap them shortly afterwards because they weren’t successful.

Such has been the case for ALDI which recently announced a major backflip regarding the developments to its website.

In May last year, the German retailer introduced a trial of its online shopping page, allowing customers in Greater Metro Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria to get their hands on an exclusive range of Special Buys products online.

However, an ALDI spokesperson confirmed that the company decided to put a stop to the trial as it was 'not the right time'.

'We have recently concluded the trial of our online Special Buys program,' the representative said.

'While we have gained valuable insights and appreciate that some customers enjoyed the ability to buy selected Special Buys online, it is not the right time to expand this trial.'

ALDI announced that it will not expand its Special Buys website feature, which allowed shoppers from select areas to purchase Special Buy items from the comfort of their homes. Credit: AAP.​

The spokesperson said that the supply chain pressures and inflation prompted the company to limit the expansion of some of its projects to 'deliver the best-priced groceries to Australians.'

The representative added: 'We have been clear that delivering quality groceries at the best prices is our ongoing goal, especially when we are seeing Australians feel the pressure of inflation.'

'Our unique business model is built on efficiency, and while we don’t want to see customers disappointed we believe this is the best decision to continue maintaining our price gap of over 15 per cent compared to our competitors.'

'While we will not rule out bringing online Special Buys back, there are no immediate plans for online Special Buys or groceries. Customers can still enjoy our Special Buys offering in-store on Wednesdays and Saturdays.'

Eagle-eyed customers who noticed the 'subtle' removal of the feature on the ALDI website have taken to social media to share their opinions about the matter.

One curious shopper questioned: 'So did ALDI just quietly remove their online range instead of the promised expansion of eventually offering all their products online?'

'I can’t see any mention of online products anymore anywhere on their app or website ever since they had their online clearance last week.'

'They’ve completely removed the link to it as far as I can tell,' another wrote.

A third chimed in: 'They used to offer all the larger items like the table saw for delivery, but not any longer. I really feel like they’re removing the option altogether.'

Customers can still nab some Special Buys items online through ALDI's Special Buys Online Clearance sale. The products are available only while stocks last.

While we agree that having the ability to purchase some items online can be beneficial, especially to those who have no capabilities to physically shop for them in-store, we understand that businesses also need to make ends meet in order to deliver their promised services to their consumers. How about you? What are your thoughts on this? Share them with us in the comments below!

 

[Suzanne rose]

I would have thought by offering on line items would have boosted their sales and created more jobs. I hear it alot that Aldi should be offering everything on line. I would definitely shop more from them if they offered online

 

[Ricci]

If Aldi offered online shopping and home deliveries I'm sure they would boost their sales, I for one would move from Woolies as I think the savings would be better. I rarely go to the shops due to mobility issues so trips to shop Aldi are a treat. I always spend far too much money there, they could be getting that regularly.

 

[charmaine bittruf]

If Aldi offered online shopping prices would go up. It would be inevitable as they would need more staff.

 

[Suzanne rose]

If Aldi offered online shopping and home deliveries I'm sure they would boost their sales, I for one would move from Woolies as I think the savings would be better. I rarely go to the shops due to mobility issues so trips to shop Aldi are a treat. I always spend far too much money there, they could be getting that regularly.

Totally Agreed. It's actually very strange why they haven't started on line shopping

 

[Suzanne rose]

If Aldi offered online shopping prices would go up. It would be inevitable as they would need more staff.

I don't think prices would go up as sales and orders would go up tremendously which would cover wages, as for delivery people would be happy to pay delivery cost which would then more than cover drivers wages

 

[philg]

Totally Agreed. It's actually very strange why they haven't started on line shopping

if ALDI were to be an online business then they would close the walk in stores and operate just from a warehouse which means a lot of unemployed people ......god help us

 

[Suzanne rose]

if ALDI were to be an online business then they would close the walk in stores and operate just from a warehouse which means a lot of unemployed people ......god help us

But it's actually created more sales and jobs at Coles and woollies so what would the difference be with aldi

 

[Esma Rose]

I've been studying
Aldi's for SOOOOOO long now & the ideas above are sensible BUT, in life there is a reason for everything. One has to think hard & when you're on a good wicket you stick to it, especially in business. I have no doubt the Company is daily studying the right & wrong times to change their program. So many avenues to take chances with. They will hesitate more in the coming years until they convince themselves of a better deal. Being on top for the last FIVE years is an incentive to stay there until BINGO, a brainwave will suddenly see clear daylight. Yes, of course they have two things in mind & they are 'making profit for them as well as us. ' When inflation shows its ugly head it affects everyone & the brain has to work overtime with changes to survive. If they are wary @ the moment well & good. Customer profits are welcome to us & changing to more expenses on their side of the coin would mean throwing the coinage on to the customer or they would have to lower THEIR profit also. Fair,s fair. You cannot have it both ways. OK the customer would pay for delivery gladly BUT, if it got busier there are a lot of extras the customer has not thought about. More Staff, bigger deliveries, time & motion etc. Just because you have the idea of expanding does not mean more profit for the price of convenience. Something has to give. You cannot please everyone, therefore every minute in a business world must be calculated by percentage. So much thought MUST be taken into account TODAY because there is a FEE charged for everything. I won't be surprised if there's a fee in the distant future charged for using your own toilet more than 5 times a day.
Seriously if you were in a business, & for the last 5 years you,ve been @ the top of your game, wouldn't you want to stay there? I know you would by helping yourself AS WELL AS your customers.

 

[Julia TH]

In the article it mentions unreliability of supply chain. In the ALDI catalogues many items are marked as experiencing supply difficulty. It makes sense then that being unable to guarantee supply of online items, it is better to withdraw the service until the situation improves than to constantly disappoint customers with incomplete orders.

 

[Ezzy]

When it comes to business, change is often seen as a good thing. After all, to stay relevant and keep up with the competition, businesses need to be constantly evolving. However, sometimes change can be a gamble – and it doesn’t always pay off.

There have been several instances where retailers have made major changes to their businesses, only to scrap them shortly afterwards because they weren’t successful.

Such has been the case for ALDI which recently announced a major backflip regarding the developments to its website.

In May last year, the German retailer introduced a trial of its online shopping page, allowing customers in Greater Metro Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria to get their hands on an exclusive range of Special Buys products online.

However, an ALDI spokesperson confirmed that the company decided to put a stop to the trial as it was 'not the right time'.

'We have recently concluded the trial of our online Special Buys program,' the representative said.

'While we have gained valuable insights and appreciate that some customers enjoyed the ability to buy selected Special Buys online, it is not the right time to expand this trial.'

ALDI announced that it will not expand its Special Buys website feature, which allowed shoppers from select areas to purchase Special Buy items from the comfort of their homes. Credit: AAP.​

The spokesperson said that the supply chain pressures and inflation prompted the company to limit the expansion of some of its projects to 'deliver the best-priced groceries to Australians.'

The representative added: 'We have been clear that delivering quality groceries at the best prices is our ongoing goal, especially when we are seeing Australians feel the pressure of inflation.'

'Our unique business model is built on efficiency, and while we don’t want to see customers disappointed we believe this is the best decision to continue maintaining our price gap of over 15 per cent compared to our competitors.'

'While we will not rule out bringing online Special Buys back, there are no immediate plans for online Special Buys or groceries. Customers can still enjoy our Special Buys offering in-store on Wednesdays and Saturdays.'

Eagle-eyed customers who noticed the 'subtle' removal of the feature on the ALDI website have taken to social media to share their opinions about the matter.

One curious shopper questioned: 'So did ALDI just quietly remove their online range instead of the promised expansion of eventually offering all their products online?'

'I can’t see any mention of online products anymore anywhere on their app or website ever since they had their online clearance last week.'

'They’ve completely removed the link to it as far as I can tell,' another wrote.

A third chimed in: 'They used to offer all the larger items like the table saw for delivery, but not any longer. I really feel like they’re removing the option altogether.'

Customers can still nab some Special Buys items online through ALDI's Special Buys Online Clearance sale. The products are available only while stocks last.

While we agree that having the ability to purchase some items online can be beneficial, especially to those who have no capabilities to physically shop for them in-store, we understand that businesses also need to make ends meet in order to deliver their promised services to their consumers. How about you? What are your thoughts on this? Share them with us in the comments below!

Why not blame the shortages on Covid? This has, after all become a popular excuse for these.