Former Aldi employee reveals why check-outs so fast

A former Aldi employee has revealed just why the checkout attendants at the supermarket chain scan your items so quickly.

An ex-Aldi employee has revealed just why the checkout attendants at the German supermarket chain scan your grocery items so quickly.

In a recent Reddit thread, a photo showed a new self serve checkout at Aldi, with a trial that began in 2021 expanding to more stores following success.

The image prompted debate on whether it would be more efficient to go to the new self serve check-outs or stick with the usual grocery line.

Many commented about the speed of the old checkout format.

“I think it is a recruitment test,” one person joked on the thread.

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Former Aldi employee reveals why checkout workers are so fast. Picture: Claudia Baxter

“If you scan your items as fast as the Aldi checkout operator they offer you a job!”

Another said: “Surely the regular checkout is faster.”

But another joked they didn’t feel like having “weapons of mass destruction” thrown at them each time they used the register.

A former employee then revealed just why the checkout workers at Aldi are quick to scan and pass the items.

“Ex Aldi employee here – don’t pack your bags at the register,” one former employee said.

Aldi began trialling self serve check-outs in 2021. Picture: Reddit

“Toss it all into the trolley/basket when scanned (and) take your time at the packing bench just next to the registers.

“Or buy those bags that hook into the trolley basket so you can kinda pack quickly.

“We were measured on items per minute when on register – which is shown at the end of your shift when closing out your individual till. Promise you they’re not doing it for fun.”

A current employee backed up the comments made.

News.com.au understands that Aldi employees base scan speed on the pace shoppers pack their bags, with customers able to ask workers to slow down if needed.

Former and current employees backed it up. Picture: Benedict Brook/news.com.au

It comes after customers complained about the noise level on the new self-serve check-outs at the supermarket.

One social media user complained: “I love self check-outs, but the Aldi ones are LOUD, and I don’t need to immediately be told to bag every. f***ing. item.

“If they don’t offer a volume control, I’m going back to real-human check-outs.”

“Can confirm. They’re loud,” another person said.

“And they have an annoying sequencing difference whereby you have to press the ‘I have my own bags’ BEFORE you put your bag in the bagging area.

“If you put it before pressing the button, it gets really offended.”