ALDI follows other major supermarket giants with this new move

The traditional grocery shopping experience, with its human cashiers and personal interactions, is undergoing a transformation.

Following in the footsteps of supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles, ALDI, the budget-friendly chain is embracing the future by introducing self-service checkouts.

This move could forever change how we shop, but is it for the better?



ALDI has only started trialling self-serve registers in 2021. However, the tides are turning, and these checkouts are now popping up in ALDI stores across Australia.

For instance, at the ALDI in Box Hill South, Melbourne, shoppers are now greeted with six newly installed self-service machines, which left a warning on their screen: ‘monitoring in progress’.


shutterstock_1409106593.jpg
ALDI follows Woolworths and Coles by introducing self-service checkouts. Credit: Shutterstock


The shift towards self-service technology in supermarkets is not without its controversies. There's a palpable tension between the desire for quick, convenient transactions and the need for human connection.

Retail experts like Trent Rigby, Director of Retail Oasis, believed Australia was ‘close to reaching a tipping point' in this balance.

‘Retailers are trying to find that balance between speed and convenience with customers, but also now recognising that many consumers still want that human interaction,’ Rigby said.



Nicole Miranda, Director of Client Services at Spinach, highlights the importance of choice in this new shopping landscape.

‘We know many people are frustrated by Coles and Woolworths who, during busy times, often close service lanes to push people through self-service, whether they want to shop that way or not,’ she said.

‘Ultimately, it will be the customer who decides, of course, but I’d anticipate, given the high levels of brand trust in ALDI versus the majors, this rollout will be viewed by the majority as a positive.’

Yet, some argued that self-service felt 'off brand' for ALDI, a company known for its unique blend of cost-effectiveness and quirkiness.

Adam Ferrier, founder of Thinkerbell, suggested that the interaction with a cashier, though sometimes seen as a chore, adds value to the shopping experience.



Despite the debate, ALDI is promoting this change as a 'win-win for everybody’, and they're not alone in their optimism.

Coles and Woolworths report high usage rates of self-service checkouts, especially for smaller shopping trips.

Retailers quickly reassured that the rise of self-checkouts isn't synonymous with job losses, as staff are often redeployed to other areas such as restocking shelves and managing online orders.

The Australian Retailers Association's Chief Executive, Paul Zahra, supported this, stating, ‘Overall staff numbers have increased in supermarkets since the implementation of the technology, not decreased, allowing them to focus on the additional services now being provided.’

This is echoed by employment figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which show a rise in the number of checkout operators and office cashiers from 112,000 to 128,000 over the past two decades.



However, SDA Australia is monitoring the impact of self-service checkouts on employee workload and customer behaviour, particularly in light of increased customer abuse and violence since COVID-19.

Security expert Scott Taylor noted that while theft is a concern, with retailers investing in various anti-theft technologies, excellent customer service remains a powerful deterrent to shoplifting.

Ben Rogers of the Council on the Ageing Victoria mentioned that many elderly individuals prefer using cash but often find it challenging to do so at self-checkouts.

‘This can be particularly impactful for older Victorians in regional areas, who are facing bank closures in their communities,’ he said.
Key Takeaways
  • ALDI is expanding its self-service checkout options, following in the footsteps of Coles and Woolworths, with installations in stores nationwide.
  • The rise of self-checkouts at supermarkets has prompted concerns about customer surveillance, service quality, and accessibility for certain groups, such as the elderly, disabled, and parents with young children.
  • Retail experts believed successful implementation of self-service checkouts depended on offering customers a choice and maintaining a balance between convenience and human interaction.
  • Despite concerns, retailers argue that the introduction of self-service technology has not led to job losses, with staff being redeployed into other roles and overall staff numbers said to be increasing.
How do you feel about the rise of self-service checkouts? Do you welcome the change, or do you miss the human touch? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
 
Sponsored
No, I hate the idea of impersonal interaction in shopping.It quite a social occasion for many of my aged friends. Even if I only have a few things I still like to be able to say, I,m trying to keep you in your job!
 
Our local Coles has 2 staff supervising self checkouts, but only one manned checkout, on a Saturday morning. Occasionally they will open a second manned checkout, but not for very long. And they try to tell us people want self service. Many do, but a lot at my shop only use them because of the queue at the manned one. I see them look at the line then go to a self checkout. Quite often they have to get help when something doesn't work. So they take longer than if they had waited.
 
I must admit Aldi's self-checkouts are superior and user friendly - compared with other supermarkets which have appalling software hitches.
There's always a staff member watching, but rarely do they have to intervene at Aldi.
Yes I found them more user friendly at Aldi and no gates or staff watching your every move.
 
  • Like
Reactions: freedy50 and Penny4
I went in a KMart in Sydney the other day, there was no options apart from self serve. If I hadn’t needed the items urgently I would have walked out. I did request someone to serve me and the girl said no one was available. By the time I’d finished I recon she wished she’d found someone. I ’needed’ lots of help with my purchases and kept calling her over. I told her I hate using these things and I usually get served when I ask. I doubt I’ll be going back there
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tervueren
When any provider with self-service checkouts PAYS ME to check my goods out, then I may use this.

Prices go up, staff are reduced and we are expected to seve ourselves. Get a life.

Europe, where this trend ran amok, are now reverting to full service checkouts. The reason being the amount of thefts that were going on.
 
I hate self service and have taken to pick up - staff do the shopping for me and all I need to do is arrange time and be there, I wonder how many more Aussies are doing this for one reason or another. The crazy thing is that the store really must lose quite a few $$ this way - Ok its convenient but how many can say that when shopping they stick exactly to their list or like many always find something extra in their trolly that is on special or may be needed at a later date
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tervueren
I hate them and will not use them. I still believe that they reduce staff as when you go into stores like K-Mart who have the self serve, you can never find a staff member to help you. This has become more of a problem over the last years.
 
Doesn’t matter which supermarket I am in, I always use self service. I can pack my bags how I wish and my supermarket visit does not need a conversation with a check out operator who asks the same “and how is your day” to every customer just because they have to be polite. They are bugger all interested in your day and if you need that interaction to get through your day you need help not a check out operator.
 
  • Like
Reactions: freedy50
Self checkouts suck... simple annoying. They are programming people to follow robot technology instruction or the computer has a fit.

Smal single item or stay under 10 purchases yeah I get it ... I read stores in America have removed the self checkout due to serious rises in theft.

Who'd of thunk it?
 
I will never, ever use self service checkouts again. I admit having used them twice and each time something didn't scan or went wrong meaning a staff member had to come over and sort out the problem. Really, what's the point? If supermarkets would offer discounts for using self serve checkouts they might be more popular but personally, these checkouts are not for me thanks.
 
On the rare occasion that I use the self service for small shops I invariably do 'something wrong' and have to get help. At 77 I could not manage going through with my weekly shop, so always use one of the one or two manned checkouts. Another issue at my local Woolies is the lack of 'small' trollies. It is easy to put things in the deep ones, but very hard to reach in to get them out at the checkout! Many complaints, but it doesn't get any better!
 
At woollies and Coles I always use self serve as do most people but at Aldi I use the manned checkout mainly because there is always trouble when it comes to paying with my card as they reject it every time and you have to wait for one of the staff to finish serving a customer with a gigantic trolley load before you can get any help. The self serve at Aldi is always empty so I mustn't be the only one who has this problem.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tervueren
If you gave me a free 1/2 jellybean I might consider using your self check out
Don't trust me don't invite me into your store
No service no shoppie --- my local coles and iga still have a fast check out ;)
Everything is available online these days

Yep ; stop the planet ---- I think I want to get off
 
I am appalled by this change. I will not use them. I will go to Farmers markets to stock up. As an elderly person living on my own, sometimes shopping is the only opportunity I have to speak with people. Self service checkouts will put many people out of work. Surely the least we should get in return for the money we are spending is to be acknowledged by another human being
 

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else

Latest Articles

  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×