A shopper has slammed supermarket chain Aldi after they were confronted by a little-known rule at the store's self-checkout tills.
The customer took to X after discovering that a rule, which has long been in place, limits customers to scanning 20 items at kiosks.
The little-known system sparked uproar among shoppers who were unaware of it.
One X user wrote: “Since when did you have 20 items or less on your self-service checkouts?
@AldiUK Since when did you have 20 items or less on your self service check outs ? There is no sign saying so. Be nice to know in advance which self service check out I can go to.
— Tracy (@Simple9950) February 23, 2024
They went on to complain about the lack of signs notifying customers about the limit on items.
“There are no signs saying so,” they wrote. “Be nice to know in advance which self-service I can go to.”
The retailer responded to the post, saying: “All stores currently have a 20-item limit on self-checkouts.
“This change is designed to make it simple and more efficient for you to shop with us. All customers can still use checkouts managed by our amazing colleagues!”
Another customer, named Alan, had voiced frustration over the limit. They wrote on X: "I've always used the self-service checkouts since they were installed, but denied access today because a staff member said I had more than 20 items.
"In actual fact, I had 19. Doubt I'll use this branch again, as waiting for usual till queues took ages!"
When the rule was first implemented, Aldi announced: “This change will make shopping at Aldi even simpler and more efficient for our customers and has been designed to further improve their experience in-store.”
“All customers can still use checkouts managed by our amazing colleagues!”
Growing dissatisfaction among shoppers has raised concerns about the future of self-checkout lanes, with Booths ditching self-service tills last year.
The Northern supermarket chain announced it would replace the lanes with traditional checkouts manned by staff following customer demands.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Self-checkout tills at Aldi stores have long limited the number of items that can be scanned
PA
Several more changes are coming into effect at UK supermarkets in a bid to improve customer experience.
Aldi announced it is offering customers the option to use refill stations in certain stores following a successful trial.
The supermarket has yet to confirm which stores will embrace the new system, which is being brought in as part of a nationwide bid to cut back on plastic consumption.
Aldi stated on its website that “refill products are available in selected stores only and are not available to purchase through Click & Collect”.
