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Self-Checkout at ALDI

ALDI stores in the U.S. are moving towards self-checkout, many with only a single cashier and multiple self-checkouts now — what do you think of the change to self-checkout machines at ALDI, and what do you need to know?

self-checkout at ALDI USA

I’ve been hearing for some time now that ALDI stores across the country have been gradually rolling in self-checkout machines, and both of my closest local stores have finally added self-checkouts. Each ALDI I have been to now sports a number of self-checkouts, with only one manned register open. I tried them out today on a couple of small orders, and while I’m nowhere near as fast as an ALDI cashier, the process went fairly smoothly and quickly.

Like them or hate them, self-checkouts are most likely coming to an ALDI store near you: These machines help reduce costs and give ALDI employees the time to tend to other duties, such as stocking shelves.

What to know about Self-Checkout at ALDI

aldi self-checkout machine

Given this trend, what do you need to know about self-checkout at ALDI?

ALDI self-checkouts don’t take cash

Well, for starters, these machines currently only take card payments: Credit, debit, EBT. If you’re paying with cash, you’ll need to go to a cashier. This is unfortunate if you keep track of your spending with a cash envelope system, make a habit of paying in cash, or like to use up your change on smaller self-checkout orders.

ALDI self-checkouts have you on camera

Smile, because you’re on camera! Like all self-checkout stations, ALDI’s machines have cameras to deter theft. You can spy with your little eye in the photo above, as I’m being filmed while taking my own picture.

Self-checkout at ALDI just has a teensy shelf

What you see is what you get here; you only get this fairly small shelf for bagging your ALDI groceries. If you tend to do larger stock-up trips, you may wish to go through the regular register. You can, however, put groceries right back into your cart after scanning: It doesn’t yell at you for not placing items in the bagging area, and you’ll also never hear “unexpected item in bagging area.”

At least at ALDI, however, we’re already used to bagging our own groceries — so it’s not as big a jump to self-checkout as at some other grocery stores!

What do you think about ALDI self-checkout?

Are you looking forward to using self-checkout at ALDI, or are you less than excited about this change?

And hey: If you think self-checkout is something; ALDI UK is trialing checkout-free stores!

Chelsey Mason

Friday 3rd of May 2024

I don’t understand the purpose of the self checkout if it only has one payment option which is credit/debt card I thought the point of them doing this was to make everything easier with less of waiting for long lines. This defeat the purpose in my opinion they could’ve kept it their workers move faster than self checkout. Who doesn’t take cash? Everyone knows that cash is number one to take a payment method nothing fraud etc.

Gary Kemp

Saturday 24th of February 2024

Goodbye Aldi’s!!!! No personal contact and no cash means no go for me!

Amy

Thursday 25th of January 2024

I bought 1 gallon of milk , used self checkout as employee asked me to, thought I would try. I paid 20.00 at time of check out and then 17.50 was taken out of bank at 11 p.m. now I can't get back in to get reimbursed. Self checkout not recommended at all..... didn't find this out until I got notice from bank the next morning. Very upset with Aldi !!!

Sue D

Tuesday 24th of October 2023

Why do the hand held checkout guns not work? I also think the voice tells you to scan next item too fast

Michelle

Sunday 1st of October 2023

My Aldi just went to self-check. I hate having to selfcheck especially when I am shopping for 2 or 3 weeks! The only cashier was on her 1st day of work trying to help people selfcheck and run her lane. Totally ridiculous!