Aldi has sparked mixed reactions after trialing a new £10 ($12.29) pre-payment charge at one of its London stores, part of its experimental “Shop & Go” checkout-free shopping system. The test, conducted at an Aldi location in Greenwich, requires customers to either download the Shop & Go app or tap a contactless card to enter the store. Upon entry, £10 is temporarily reserved from their account—a move some shoppers called “frustrating” and “confusing.”
How It Works
The reserved £10 acts as a deposit, which is deducted from the customer’s final bill after they finish shopping. Shoppers can then leave without stopping at a checkout, as AI-powered cameras track items they pick up and charge them automatically. However, those who spend less than £10—or leave without buying anything—must wait several days for the unused funds to be returned to their accounts.
Aldi clarified that the £10 is not an upfront fee but a temporary hold. “Once your basket total is calculated, we adjust the charge accordingly. Any difference is refunded,” the company told The Independent. However, it warned that refund delays depend on individual banks, leaving some customers uneasy about the lack of immediate clarity.
Customer Backlash
Shoppers expressed frustration over the pre-payment requirement, with many claiming they were unaware of the £10 hold until after entering the store. “I didn’t realize how much would be taken from my account upfront,” one customer told the Daily Record. Others criticized the refund delays, arguing that the system penalizes those who make small purchases or change their minds.
The Tech Behind Shop & Go
Aldi’s Shop & Go stores use AI-driven cameras to monitor customers as they move through aisles, detecting which products they take. The system then charges shoppers in real time, mimicking Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” technology. While aimed at streamlining the shopping experience, the pre-payment step adds a layer of complexity that has divided consumer opinions.
Aldi’s Response
Aldi emphasized that the trial is part of its effort to innovate in the fast-evolving retail sector. “We’re testing new ways to make shopping more convenient,” a spokesperson said. The company has not confirmed whether the pre-payment system will expand to other locations.
The Bigger Picture
The trial highlights the growing pains of cashier-less technology, which promises speed but risks alienating customers with opaque payment processes. As retailers like Amazon and Tesco refine their own checkout-free systems, Aldi’s experiment underscores the challenge of balancing innovation with consumer trust.
For now, the Greenwich trial remains a limited test—but its success or failure could shape how supermarkets worldwide approach the future of frictionless shopping.