ALDI Australia has commenced a self-checkout trial, with the technology appearing in ALDI Darlinghurst in Sydney this week. Nine other stores in NSW set to follow in the coming months.
The checkouts aim to provide customers with quick and convenient ways to shop and to drive business efficiencies, says ALDI Australia Store Operations Director Robert Eichfeld.
“Anecdotal feedback from the first day of the trial was overwhelmingly positive with more than half of our customers opting to use the new self-checkouts,” he says.
“Shoppers also commented that they enjoyed the choice and appreciated the convenience of having a quick and easy option when only shopping for a few items.”
Cautious decision
Mr Eichfeld acknowledges that ALDI are not the first to market with its self-checkout offering.
“We are well known for taking our time to make carefully considered business decisions to ensure we never compromise on our low-cost business model,” he says.
“Since self-checkouts entered the Australian grocery sector we’ve been watching with keen interest the convenience they provide customers as well as the value and efficiencies they drive for business.
“We anticipate the trial will appeal to our regulars as well as attract new customers, who are purchasing only a few items at a time.”
How will it work?
The technology will require store employees to assist, support and monitor customers’ use of self-checkouts and assist with any issues, rather than working on the register.
Mr Eichfeld says this will allow staff more time to focus on creating a quality experience by keeping fresh produce and general stock available and the store clean and well presented.
ALDI will also introduce baskets in all trial stores to aid small and quick shops.
ALDI Australia will “carefully assess and consider” the trial results before deciding whether self-checkouts will be rolled out to more ALDI stores nationally.
