Aldi’s brand new ‘secret’ no-checkout store ‘costs £1.8m’ claims supermarket staff member

Supermarket and cut-price wonderland Aldi is a firm favourite for many bargain-loving Brits, and fans of the company can look forward to a new high tech store, an insider has revealed.

According to the supermarket employee, a brand new store which is entirely technology-led cost the retail giant a whopping £1.8million to refit.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that the German discount store would be trialling a store which features no checkouts whatsoever, a move which follows in the footsteps of other industry leaders such as Amazon.

Many are confused by how this concept would work, but it simply operated through customers picking up their shopping as they normally would during a shop, but they are instead able to walk straight out of the store.

Technology will then be able to detect what was taken, and the customers are then charged as they walk out.

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Aldi stated that the new scheme was being tested by staff at a secret London store, but didn’t reveal any details about its exact location.

However, an insider has said that the ‘secret’ store is based in Greenwich, south-east London.

According to The Mirror, the anonymous worker stated the store’s incredible new technology has set the chain back a hefty £1.8million.

They also claimed that whilst the tech-heavy store’s equipment does indeed work, it still makes mistakes when scanning products.

The employee said: “It does work. Like all technology its not 100%, and not as many staff needed.”

As well as this, the anonymous supermarket worker believes this initiative is going to be rolled out across the whole of the UK.

They added: “The way things are going, in a few year’s time all shops will have it, and fewer staff will be needed – but I don’t think that’s the way forward.”

Aldi refused to comment when approached by The Mirror, and OK! has contacted the supermarket for a comment.

The brand new tech-led stores will work by making its customers install apps onto their smartphones, which will then be able to register with in-store technology when said customers walk into a no-checkout branch.

After shopping as they would normally, customers will be able to exit the store without paying at a check-out, and will be automatically charged, with a receipt emailed to them.

Aldi UK and Ireland chief executive Giles Hurley said: “We are always looking to redefine what it means to be a discount retailer, and the technology involved in this trial will give us a wealth of learnings.

“We are really excited to be testing this concept that will enable customers to pick from our range of quality products, all available at unbeatable prices, then leave the store without having to pay at a till.”

Aldi are following online retail giant Amazon with their no check-out stores, after the Jeff Bezos-owned business opened their own stores in London earlier this year.

Back in March, Amazon walk-in stores were opened and sell everything from fresh food to the latest electronics without any need for check-outs.

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