Aldi loves its older shoppers

German supermarket Aldi has listened to the frustrations of its older customers, and refused to install self-serve checkouts. Aldi will continue using personal check-out operators only.

There are plans to open another 80 Aldi stores throughout Australia, during 2016 alone! Leaving out those pesky self-serve checkouts is bound to be a big winner amongst shoppers.

“Aldi’s checkouts operate with industry-leading efficiency”, a spokesman explained. “We have no plans to implement self-service checkouts at any of our stores”.

“Feedback has told us that our shoppers prefer face-to-face interactions at registers”, the Aldi spokesman added. “Checkout wait times are an important part of their in-store experience”.

Aldi has reviewed feedback from its current stores, which number nearly 400 throughout Australia. The supermarket has paid particular attention to its older shoppers.

According to retail expert Stephen Kulmar, “extended shops” are made particularly difficult for older shoppers if they are forced to use self-serve checkouts.

“For an extended shop it’s hard. I think if you are only in there for a few items, (self-serve) is a brilliant idea but beyond that it’s a problem”, Mr Kulmar added.

In contrast, Coles and Woolworths has progressively installed self-serve checkouts since 2009. This policy has left older shoppers increasingly frustrated.

As one Starts At Sixty reader previously said, “I refuse to use (self-serve checkouts). They are only there to save the supermarket money by not employing assistants”.

Are you pleased that Aldi has taken your feedback on board? Do you like or dislike self-serve checkouts?