ALDI shoppers take drastic measures to face this ‘shortage’
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As the cost-of-living crisis grips the nation, ALDI customers in one city have been pushed to take extraordinary steps to address an unexpected shortage.
The scarcity in question? Shopping baskets.
Yes, you read that right. Shoppers have been seen navigating the aisles with their groceries piled into boxes.
This peculiar scene unfolded at the Westfield Eastgardens store in Sydney, where the usual stack of baskets was replaced by a trolley brimming with boxes.
The shortage wasn't isolated to this location, with reports of similar situations at ALDI stores in Waterloo, Eastgardens, and North Strathfield.
Staff members speculated suspicions of theft as the culprit behind the vanishing baskets, though ALDI has remained tight-lipped, declining to comment on the speculation.
The coin deposit trolley system, a familiar sight at ALDI stores, is often bypassed by those looking to avoid the hassle or simply lacking the coin.
This has increased reliance on baskets, making their absence all the more felt.
ALDI was said to address the issue, but the impact on the shopping experience is already evident.
It's worth noting that ALDI only introduced shopping baskets across all its stores in April 2022, a move that was met with enthusiasm from customers seeking a more convenient shopping trip for smaller hauls.
'We recognize that Australians are looking for greater convenience when they visit our stores,’ an ALDI spokesperson stated.
‘To make it more efficient for our customers to do a smaller grocery shop, we will be introducing shopping baskets across all of our stores.’
While ALDI's competitors, Coles and Woolworths, have invested heavily in anti-theft technology, including cameras, smart gates, and trolley-locking systems, ALDI has maintained a more relaxed approach.
Their self-service checkouts, for instance, operate without the responsive weight plates that other supermarkets use to detect incorrectly placed items in the baggage area.
Despite the recent price hikes—a response to the financial pressures felt across the retail sector—ALDI continues to hold its ground as a beloved shopping destination.
The supermarket has clinched the title of Australia's favourite supermarket for six consecutive years in Canstar's Supermarket Satisfaction awards, a testament to its enduring appeal among consumers.
Have you encountered similar issues at your local supermarket? Share them with us in the comments below!
The scarcity in question? Shopping baskets.
Yes, you read that right. Shoppers have been seen navigating the aisles with their groceries piled into boxes.
This peculiar scene unfolded at the Westfield Eastgardens store in Sydney, where the usual stack of baskets was replaced by a trolley brimming with boxes.
The shortage wasn't isolated to this location, with reports of similar situations at ALDI stores in Waterloo, Eastgardens, and North Strathfield.
ALDI shoppers were seen carrying boxes while shopping due to basket 'shortage'. Credit: Shutterstock
Staff members speculated suspicions of theft as the culprit behind the vanishing baskets, though ALDI has remained tight-lipped, declining to comment on the speculation.
The coin deposit trolley system, a familiar sight at ALDI stores, is often bypassed by those looking to avoid the hassle or simply lacking the coin.
This has increased reliance on baskets, making their absence all the more felt.
ALDI was said to address the issue, but the impact on the shopping experience is already evident.
It's worth noting that ALDI only introduced shopping baskets across all its stores in April 2022, a move that was met with enthusiasm from customers seeking a more convenient shopping trip for smaller hauls.
'We recognize that Australians are looking for greater convenience when they visit our stores,’ an ALDI spokesperson stated.
‘To make it more efficient for our customers to do a smaller grocery shop, we will be introducing shopping baskets across all of our stores.’
While ALDI's competitors, Coles and Woolworths, have invested heavily in anti-theft technology, including cameras, smart gates, and trolley-locking systems, ALDI has maintained a more relaxed approach.
Their self-service checkouts, for instance, operate without the responsive weight plates that other supermarkets use to detect incorrectly placed items in the baggage area.
Despite the recent price hikes—a response to the financial pressures felt across the retail sector—ALDI continues to hold its ground as a beloved shopping destination.
The supermarket has clinched the title of Australia's favourite supermarket for six consecutive years in Canstar's Supermarket Satisfaction awards, a testament to its enduring appeal among consumers.
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