ALDI's new change to their chilled section has shoppers talking – Did you notice?
- Replies 13
Even when navigating your local supermarket becomes a tiresome and precarious task, you eventually become used to the layout of the shop – from the dairy aisle to the canned goods and frozen sections.
So, it comes as no surprise that when changes happen to your local store, you’ll feel a little lost.
Case in point: ALDI has recently made a major change to the chilled food section of certain stores, leaving shoppers divided over its impact.
It's amazing how a single change to a store can create so much discussion.
It all started when one customer shared a photo of their local ALDI store in North Rocks. The post revealed that large glass doors had been added to the supermarket's refrigerated shelves.
As it turns out, this is not an isolated incident. In fact, several ALDI fans from across Australia have revealed that their stores had also overhauled their chilled section with the same set-up.
But this recent initiative has sent ALDI customers into a heated discussion about accessibility and mobility issues.
According to a spokesperson for the retailer, ALDI is trialling the set-up in selected stores in a bid to cut energy consumption and costs.
The spokesperson said: ‘ALDI is trialling how we can reduce our energy footprint by installing fridge doors in a select number of stores across NSW.’
They added that international trials have been successful so far. They were able to prove how the doors in their chilled sections have ‘the potential’ to cut energy consumption significantly.
‘In June 2021, ALDI became the first Australian supermarket to be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity, and we are continuously looking for ways to reduce emissions and our impact on the climate. It’s one of the many ways we’re working to make a big difference in our operations,’ the spokesperson added.
However, this decision prompted mixed reactions from customers on social media.
Many welcomed the initiative, saying that because of the ‘energy efficient’ doors, the temperatures in stores would also go down.
‘Great! So glad to see stores putting doors back on fridges. So much energy is wasted without doors,’ one stated.
Another commented: ‘Well done, ALDI! Much more energy efficient!’
‘I hope this will make the stores less cold now. I always get this anxiety whenever I plan to go ALDI if I wore enough layers, even in summer,’ someone else replied.
A fourth replied: ‘This is great for conserving energy and increasing energy efficiency! Love it.’
While one social media user said it was ‘about time’ the change occurred.
‘Coming from Europe, the freezing temperatures in Australian supermarkets due to the open fridges were kind of a culture shock from an energy efficiency perspective,’ they added.
However, others brought up a concerning issue, saying that the new change would cause ‘congestion’ in stores. Some were opposed to it because customers with mobility issues would encounter issues with its accessibility.
‘Our ALDI is like this too (Penrith), but it’s a nightmare if you have accessibility issues. I use a cane and can’t hold the door open and grab products easily at the same time,’ one pointed out.
Someone agreed and commented: ‘While I get that it’s more cost-effective for the stores. It’s a lot harder for people with mobility issues and people in wheelchairs.’
Another social media user said they were ‘not a fan’ of the new initiative.
‘You get someone opening the door, and they can’t decide if they want the $9.30 or $9.25 chops, and you then have to wait for them. Where you could usually just grab around the person and move on,’ they explained.
‘Not a fan of this set-up. It causes unnecessary aisle congestion,’ one declared.
Someone agreed and said that the new set-up would be ‘tricky’ for people shopping with trolleys and ‘people who are oblivious’.
Other ALDI shoppers were more disappointed to see the divided reactions.
‘Stop complaining - it’s no different to Coles and Woolworths and is more efficient in keeping products refrigerated,’ one wrote before adding that some people will ‘complain about anything’.
‘I just love shopping at ALDI,’ the shopper added.
‘People whinge about germs and having to open doors. People whinge about the environment. Can’t win,’ someone else replied.
Want to read more about ALDI? One mum discovered a ‘little-known’ and frustrating checkout rule at ALDI. According to her, she put a bottle of wine on the conveyor belt at the checkout, and when it moved, one of her children put his hand to stop it from rolling further. However, this innocent act forced the cashier to….You can read the rest of the story here.
What do you think about ALDI’s new chilled section? Have you seen the new installation at your local store? Share your thoughts in the comments!
So, it comes as no surprise that when changes happen to your local store, you’ll feel a little lost.
Case in point: ALDI has recently made a major change to the chilled food section of certain stores, leaving shoppers divided over its impact.
It's amazing how a single change to a store can create so much discussion.
It all started when one customer shared a photo of their local ALDI store in North Rocks. The post revealed that large glass doors had been added to the supermarket's refrigerated shelves.
As it turns out, this is not an isolated incident. In fact, several ALDI fans from across Australia have revealed that their stores had also overhauled their chilled section with the same set-up.
But this recent initiative has sent ALDI customers into a heated discussion about accessibility and mobility issues.
ALDI customers noticed the changes in select stores. Credit: ALDI Australia
According to a spokesperson for the retailer, ALDI is trialling the set-up in selected stores in a bid to cut energy consumption and costs.
The spokesperson said: ‘ALDI is trialling how we can reduce our energy footprint by installing fridge doors in a select number of stores across NSW.’
They added that international trials have been successful so far. They were able to prove how the doors in their chilled sections have ‘the potential’ to cut energy consumption significantly.
‘In June 2021, ALDI became the first Australian supermarket to be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity, and we are continuously looking for ways to reduce emissions and our impact on the climate. It’s one of the many ways we’re working to make a big difference in our operations,’ the spokesperson added.
However, this decision prompted mixed reactions from customers on social media.
Many welcomed the initiative, saying that because of the ‘energy efficient’ doors, the temperatures in stores would also go down.
A close-up of the new doors was shared on social media. Credit: Facebook
‘Great! So glad to see stores putting doors back on fridges. So much energy is wasted without doors,’ one stated.
Another commented: ‘Well done, ALDI! Much more energy efficient!’
‘I hope this will make the stores less cold now. I always get this anxiety whenever I plan to go ALDI if I wore enough layers, even in summer,’ someone else replied.
A fourth replied: ‘This is great for conserving energy and increasing energy efficiency! Love it.’
While one social media user said it was ‘about time’ the change occurred.
‘Coming from Europe, the freezing temperatures in Australian supermarkets due to the open fridges were kind of a culture shock from an energy efficiency perspective,’ they added.
However, others brought up a concerning issue, saying that the new change would cause ‘congestion’ in stores. Some were opposed to it because customers with mobility issues would encounter issues with its accessibility.
‘Our ALDI is like this too (Penrith), but it’s a nightmare if you have accessibility issues. I use a cane and can’t hold the door open and grab products easily at the same time,’ one pointed out.
Someone agreed and commented: ‘While I get that it’s more cost-effective for the stores. It’s a lot harder for people with mobility issues and people in wheelchairs.’
Another social media user said they were ‘not a fan’ of the new initiative.
‘You get someone opening the door, and they can’t decide if they want the $9.30 or $9.25 chops, and you then have to wait for them. Where you could usually just grab around the person and move on,’ they explained.
‘Not a fan of this set-up. It causes unnecessary aisle congestion,’ one declared.
Someone agreed and said that the new set-up would be ‘tricky’ for people shopping with trolleys and ‘people who are oblivious’.
Other ALDI shoppers were more disappointed to see the divided reactions.
‘Stop complaining - it’s no different to Coles and Woolworths and is more efficient in keeping products refrigerated,’ one wrote before adding that some people will ‘complain about anything’.
‘I just love shopping at ALDI,’ the shopper added.
‘People whinge about germs and having to open doors. People whinge about the environment. Can’t win,’ someone else replied.
What do you think about ALDI’s new chilled section? Have you seen the new installation at your local store? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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