After the first installations with hardware and software from Shopreme in the Netherlands, Aldi Nord is now testing a completely different type of self-checkout in three stores in Germany. In doing so, Aldi Nord is taking a similar path as its competitor Lidl and not that of its sister company Aldi Süd.
Similar to its competitor Lidl, Aldi Nord uses GK’s software consistently for both manned and self-checkouts. The discounter also uses the same hardware components in the new self-checkouts that it uses at the manned checkouts, from its two main suppliers: Diebold Nixdorf and 4POS.
Aldi Nord relies on the GK OmniPOS solution in all countries and is strategically driving innovations together with the software specialist such as real-time promotions in its new loyalty app, which the discounter is currently testing in Belgium.
Prototype housings from Kesseböhmer
The cases for Aldi Nord’s current self-checkout prototype in Germany are being supplied by shopfitting specialist Kesseböhmer. However, the design of the housing is by no means set in stone, employees of the retail company told the Retail Optimiser. Aldi Nord is also looking at solutions from other till manufacturers before a major roll-out.
In the pilot project in three stores, Aldi Nord is now primarily putting the GK solution through its paces in self-service use on the standard hardware components. If all goes well, the discounter wants to roll out the solution with optimised housings. It is likely that Aldi Nord will further develop the cases and bring a second supplier on board alongside Kesseböhmer. Due to the large quantities, competitor Lidl also relies on two SCO hardware manufacturers: 4POS and Itab. The Retail Optimiser reported.
Aldi Süd relies on standard SCOs from Diebold Nixdorf
In contrast, Aldi Süd is currently introducing self-checkouts from Diebold Nixdorf on a large scale which integrate with Aldi Süd’s POS software from Gebit. The Retail Optimiser reported. Diebold Nixdorf, along with the Swiss specialist 4POS, is also one of the most important POS hardware suppliers for Aldi Nord. Aldi Nord now uses the standard components for the manned checkouts from both of these providers in its new, self-developed self-checkouts as well. The only difference to the components at the manned checkouts is the size of the touchscreens. Here, Aldi Nord chose larger monitors for the self-checkouts.
The German daily newspaper WAZ as well as Lebensmittel Zeitung were the first to report on the new self-checkouts at Aldi Nord in Germany. In the first step, the discounter equipped three of its stores with the new self-checkouts: One in Herten at Westerholter Straße 615 and two in Essen. One of the Essen stores is located right next to the new headquarters of Aldi Nord, the so-called campus of the discounter, at Eckenbergstraße 16. The second is at Rüttenscheider Straße 62.
So far, only card payments
Unlike most of the Diebold Nixdorf self-checkouts that Aldi Süd is introducing, the new Aldi Nord self-checkouts can only be used for card payments. Aldi Süd also initially started with devices without a cash recycler, but is now consistently installing those in Germany that also allow payment with cash and where numerous coins can be placed in a funnel in a very user-friendly way.
So far, Aldi Nord – unlike its competitor Lidl – has not installed any checkweighers in its new self-checkouts either. To leave the self-checkout area towards the exit, the customer has to open a gate by scanning a code that they find on their receipt.
Self-scanning with Shopreme in the Netherlands
Just a year ago, Aldi Nord had expanded its self-scanning and self-checkout pilot with Shopreme to 18 stores in the Netherlands. The Retail Optimiser reported. In May 2023, the discounter started testing in Berkel-Enschot, the Netherlands – the Retail Optimiser was the first to report at the time. In these stores, customers can scan their goods at a self-checkout terminal (SCO) or via the Aldi Nord app installed on their smartphone and pay for them cashlessly.
