Google Maps, Aldi, en.e-noticies.cat, Sk de sansak@design, Getty Images de lenanet Aldi delivers a cold blow to all its customers in the United States
Aldi surprises its customers in the United States with some changes that have caught the attention of many of its customers
Some Aldi customers in the United States have been unexpectedly surprised when visiting their stores. What used to be a quick shopping experience now requires more time and patience. This has caused comments and complaints on social media from those who trusted the convenience of self-checkout.
In stores in Illinois, Maryland, and California, Aldi has begun to gradually remove self-checkout stations. This measure impacts both those who used these machines regularly and users who were just starting to try them. As a result, many shoppers must readapt to traditional checkout lanes.
These are the reasons that have led Aldi to make this decision
Users from different states shared their surprise and frustration on social media such as Reddit. Some pointed out that, after the removal of the machines, lines at conventional checkouts became considerably longer. Others commented that some stores still had self-checkout stations, which caused confusion about where the service could be used.
In addition, the removal of the self-checkout lanes was not uniform, which led to complicated situations in specific locations. In Beltsville, Maryland, several shoppers described the process as "chaotic" due to the prolonged wait. The combination of uninformed users and limited staff made the experience even more complicated than expected.
Although Aldi did not issue an official statement, employees have indicated that the self-checkout service presented frequent operational problems. According to Axios, user errors and the supervision required for purchasing alcoholic beverages forced staff to intervene constantly. This, along with significant inventory losses in some branches, would have motivated the removal of these stations.
The phenomenon is not exclusive to Aldi; other chains such as Walmart, Target, and Dollar General have also reduced their self-checkout machines for the same reasons. According to Daily Mail, a Walmart in Missouri had to remove all its stations after 509 calls to the police in 2024. Meanwhile, Dollar General also removed the checkouts in 12,000 stores to protect their inventory.
In California, legislator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas is proposing a law to regulate self-checkout stations in supermarkets and pharmacies. According to channel KTLA, the initiative establishes that there must be at least one open checkout, limits purchases to 15 items per machine, and requires more secure technology. In addition, it prohibits the payment of alcoholic beverages at these stations.
With these measures, Aldi seeks to protect its inventory and improve management in its stores, even if it means a significant change in the way customers do their shopping. The public's reaction shows that self-checkout stations had become a key element of the modern shopping experience.
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