Aldi shoppers frustrated by ‘annoying’ checkout act on the rise

Customers at Aldi have noticed an “annoying” checkout act, taking to social media to share theories as to why it’s on the rise.

Aldi customers have been left frustrated after a wave of reports surfaced online, revealing that the German retailer may have increased bag checks in its supermarkets.

A post on Reddit’s r/melbourne forum this week featured one shopper describing a recent incident where an Aldi cashier asked if their reusable bags were empty, even after they had opened them up to show they were flat and unused.

“She still asked, ‘Are your bags empty?’” the user explained. “We said yes, and she scanned everything, a bit roughly, but not a big deal”.

“Not complaining, just found it a bit surprising. Is this a new thing at Aldi, or maybe just this store?”

Aldi shoppers have noticed a checkout act on the rise. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

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Aldi bag checks around ‘forever’

Comments flooded in from fellow Aldi shoppers and staff, most insisting that bag checks are nothing new.

“Nope, been like that for years. Used to have to show my empty bags before packing,” one replied.

Another added, “Yup, been shopping at Aldi for nearly two decades and they’re always peeking”.

“Been doing it forever,” quipped a third. “Our local even has a dedicated security guard for it”.

Others said Aldi’s bag checking was more “aggressive” than at other supermarkets.

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People are reporting that bag checks are on the rise at Aldi. Picture: Supplied

‘Made to feel like they are thieves’

Then an Aldi worker weighed in, revealing that while bag checks have always been part of the company’s policy, enforcement ramps up during spikes in shoplifting.

“The company ebbs and flows on how militant they feel like enforcing staff to do them,” they claimed.

“Stock losses are one of the major focuses of the company, the most it’s ever been in my time at Aldi, and they’ve never enforced stock loss measures (like bag checks) as hard as they are now.

“We’re being checked on the cameras constantly and disciplined regularly about checking bags.”

The worker insisted that they don’t enjoy doing them either, as they don’t want others to be “made to feel like they are thieves”, but it’s a requirement of their job.

A different commenter echoed, “It seems like stores that were more lax are having to check more thoroughly lately. My local Aldi has also only recently started doing bag checks at the checkout”.

Aldi workers have claimed bag checks increase when the chain is cracking down on stock losses. Picture: Supplied.

Are bag checks compulsory?

It is understood that Aldi’s bag check policy is a condition of entry, requiring all bags, parcels, prams, and containers to be presented for inspection.

Retailers in Australia are legally allowed to conduct bag searches as a condition of entry, provided that the policy is clearly communicated before customers step into the premises, according to the ACCC.

By entering a store with these kind of signs, customers are generally considered to have agreed to the conditions, including the possibility of a bag check.

According to the National Retail Association, personal handbags will not be checked unless they are larger than an A4 piece of paper.

Customers always retain the right to refuse a bag check, but if they refuse, the retailer can ask the person to leave the store or refuse to serve them.

Staff cannot physically force you to show your bag, as bag checks are voluntary, and a person who forcibly conducts a bag check against a customer’s will may be liable for assault.

Originally published as Aldi shoppers frustrated by ‘annoying’ checkout act on the rise