Is ALDI’s bold new move a deal-breaker for Aussie shoppers? The verdict is in

A new shopping concept from ALDI has left Aussie shoppers reeling, with some calling it a ‘stupid idea’.

What started as an innovative trial in the UK has now sparked heated debate across social media, with many questioning its practicality and fairness.

The reaction from locals has been anything but positive, with concerns ranging from hidden fees to the impact of new technology on everyday shopping.


Over the past few years, ALDI has won over Aussies with its budget-friendly deals and middle-aisle surprises, making it one of the country’s favourite supermarkets.

But a recent move by ALDI in the UK has sparked concerns, with some wondering if it could come to Australia.

An ALDI fan shared a link to the ALDI Fans Australia social media group, describing a new checkout-free store in London.


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ALDI’s new checkout-free store sparks an Aussie debate. Image source: Instagram/alexoliviajones/Aldi


According to the post, the store, called ALDI Shop&Go, requires customers to download an app to enter.

Once inside, shoppers pick up their items and leave without going through a checkout, with charges applied automatically via their selected payment method once they exit.

The store uses cameras to track purchases, but the most controversial part was the £10 fee to enter—roughly $20 AUD.

This entry fee was deducted from the final bill, but if shoppers didn’t spend the full amount or made no purchases at all, the money would be refunded, though not immediately.


Commenters on the ALDI Fans Australia social media group were quick to share their opinions, with many expressing frustration.

‘Stupid idea! People have enough going on in their lives and now have to make sure they have money in their pocket upon entry,’ one person said.

Another added: ‘Pay to buy your goods???? No thanks.’

One commenter worried about the potential for problems when browsing: ‘Imagine that we have that here, you see the catalogue and go in just to look at the Saturday special buys, not sure if you'd like them just off the catalogue pictures. You decide no, so leave $20 lighter, with it not coming back to you until Tuesday.’

‘I can see them going bust real quick if they keep that up! Things are expensive enough without being charged each time you pop in to buy something, geez,’ a third person noted.


Some people also expressed concern about the technology used in the store, fearing potential mistakes.

‘No freaking thank you! Hate all this tech,’ one person commented.

‘Imagine the mistakes and complaints. Imagine the fruit weighing!’ said another.

‘Yeah, Nah. I would walk right back out again. Simply not going to happen,’ a third agreed.

It’s safe to say that many Aussies weren’t impressed with the idea and hope it doesn’t make its way to Australia.


In a previous story, we took a look at how ALDI is delivering childhood memories at unbeatable prices.

To find out where you can spot these nostalgic treats, be sure to check it out!

Key Takeaways
  • ALDI's new checkout-free store in the UK has sparked a backlash in Australia, with some calling the concept a ‘stupid idea’.
  • The store charges a £10 (roughly $20 AUD) entry fee, refundable only if shoppers don't spend the full amount, leading to concerns about hidden fees.
  • Technology used in the store to track purchases has raised worries about mistakes, with some customers fearing errors in pricing and fruit weighing.
  • Many Aussies are voicing strong opposition to the idea, with hopes it doesn't make its way to Australian stores.

With so many Aussies outraged by this new ALDI concept, do you think it’s something that could work here? Will it be a complete flop?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!
 

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Sounds like a suicide move by Aldi! Especially as Aldi is a favourite shopping option for pensioners and less-wealthy families! I love Aldi, but a move towards this stupidity would see me giving Aldi a miss! Let’s hope sanity prevails over here and Aldi doesn’t go down this ridiculous path!
 
I have been a great supporter of Aldi ever since the stupid Idea of Woolworths not supporting Australia Day nor Anzac Day. But now I am beginning to wonder if it was all worth it.
The only time I go there now is because they have some bred that I can't buy anywhere else. I also buy some other items but not the full shopping as I used to be doing.
You buy some fruit in a Kg basket and 4 or tiles out if 10 you find out that some of the fruit is rotten or decayed, the meat is not as good and tender as it used to be. Some of the fillet stakes or scotch fillets are so tuff that you can't chew it.
You buy biscuits and most of the time you find that they must have been dropped or mishandled by the shelf packing stuff as they are broken in the packets.
You might now say why don't it bring it back and replace it but for me to do so it takes a 40 or 50 Km round trip to do so and it is not worth it, and if you say something or complain about it you have to waste so much time that you simply give up. Their customer service dept is useless at best. They ask you to supply the copy of the docket (as if you would have stolen their products) when, HOW MANY OF YOU ACTUALLY KEEP THE DOCKETS AFTER YOU FINISHED YOUR SHOPPING.
I am now reconsidering my position about Aldi.
 
If this to be bought into Australia then ALDI can kiss my money goodbye. I will no longer shop there. Lately we have been finding the quality of the fruit /veges and meat have gone down, costs have risen sky high and empty shelves and freezers 3 quarters empty...So we are no longer finding it a great place to shop anyway.
 
I have been a great supporter of Aldi ever since the stupid Idea of Woolworths not supporting Australia Day nor Anzac Day. But now I am beginning to wonder if it was all worth it.
The only time I go there now is because they have some bred that I can't buy anywhere else. I also buy some other items but not the full shopping as I used to be doing.
You buy some fruit in a Kg basket and 4 or tiles out if 10 you find out that some of the fruit is rotten or decayed, the meat is not as good and tender as it used to be. Some of the fillet stakes or scotch fillets are so tuff that you can't chew it.
You buy biscuits and most of the time you find that they must have been dropped or mishandled by the shelf packing stuff as they are broken in the packets.
You might now say why don't it bring it back and replace it but for me to do so it takes a 40 or 50 Km round trip to do so and it is not worth it, and if you say something or complain about it you have to waste so much time that you simply give up. Their customer service dept is useless at best. They ask you to supply the copy of the docket (as if you would have stolen their products) when, HOW MANY OF YOU ACTUALLY KEEP THE DOCKETS AFTER YOU FINISHED YOUR SHOPPING.
I am now reconsidering my position about Aldi.
I always keep my dockets and realised I had been charged twice for a product worth about $7. I returned to the shop a week later and was given a refund.
 
I have been a great supporter of Aldi ever since the stupid Idea of Woolworths not supporting Australia Day nor Anzac Day. But now I am beginning to wonder if it was all worth it.
The only time I go there now is because they have some bred that I can't buy anywhere else. I also buy some other items but not the full shopping as I used to be doing.
You buy some fruit in a Kg basket and 4 or tiles out if 10 you find out that some of the fruit is rotten or decayed, the meat is not as good and tender as it used to be. Some of the fillet stakes or scotch fillets are so tuff that you can't chew it.
You buy biscuits and most of the time you find that they must have been dropped or mishandled by the shelf packing stuff as they are broken in the packets.
You might now say why don't it bring it back and replace it but for me to do so it takes a 40 or 50 Km round trip to do so and it is not worth it, and if you say something or complain about it you have to waste so much time that you simply give up. Their customer service dept is useless at best. They ask you to supply the copy of the docket (as if you would have stolen their products) when, HOW MANY OF YOU ACTUALLY KEEP THE DOCKETS AFTER YOU FINISHED YOUR SHOPPING.
I am now reconsidering my position about Aldi.
I have bought aldi fillet steak a few times now and it is absolutely beautiful and tender and much nicer pieces than woolworths now dish up. I don't buy alot from aldi but a big fan of what I do get and the price.
 
Stupid idea for so many reasons
Yes but it has originated in Europe and anything can happen. Now, if anyone has taken notice of it before, we are even charged a fee for the processing of our credit card when you pay for your groceries at Aldi. Never heard of that before but, when queried with my daughter, she said that it has been there ever since she could remember.
So Banks don't want to use cash, the Government does not want us to use cash but then we are charged a fee for using a credit card.
Another crooked scheme by the Banks to reap us all a bit more.?

Dear oh me. What's the matter with the Government.? Are they so blind OR ARE THEY INTENTIONALLY BLIND.?
 
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Probably will happen and we get used to it in time. Don’t fancy it myself I know elderly people who only have regular phone, apps a mystery what happens to them?
 
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Do you mean about what is happening in Europe or here in Australia whereby Aldi is already charging us fees for using Credit Cards.?
 
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Do you mean about what is happening in Europe or here in Australia whereby Aldi is already charging us fees for using Credit Cards.?
Statement from Aldi Australia's website:-

To meet our promise of high quality products at the most affordable prices, a 0.5% surcharge is included on all credit card and contactless card purchases at our stores. Customers who process payment by inserting their card and selecting savings will avoid this fee.

Source:- https://help.aldi.com.au/s/topic/0TO2y000000dIjrGAE/payment-enquiry
 

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