Known for its ultra fast checkouts, Aldi is the one supermarket where you cannot take your time packing your bags.
Customers have been swapping tips on how they handle the high pressure scenario online after one shopper admitted she finds the process overwhelming.
Taking to the Aldi Shoppers UK Facebook group, the woman identified only as Sarah Jane, wrote: ‘Does anyone pack as they go at aldi ? Or do you pack after.
Aldi customers have been swapping tips on how they handle the high pressure scenario online after one shopper admitted she finds the process overwhelming. Stock image
Taking to the Aldi Shoppers UK Facebook group, the woman identified only as Sarah Jane, asked for advice on how best to tackle the problem.
‘I tried today and felt so under pressure my pizzas was squashed the fresh ones too lol.
‘My sub rolls looked like they was gonna be flat breads any time soon and my buns were getting a bashing too. Does anyone ask them to slow down.’
The post racked up more than 440 comments from shoppers who shared their own tips and tricks.
Many commenters said it is best to organise the items in weight order while they are still in the trolley before reaching the till, so they can be put away in the bag in order.
Many commenters said it is best to organise the items in weight order while they are still in the trolley before reaching the till, so they can be put away in the bag in order
One commenter said: ‘I’m the sad individual that puts everything in order on the conveyor belt so that heavy things go into the bottom of the bags, frozen, chilled, fruit and veg in another etc and anything that could be easily squashed or broken goes last.’
Responding someone posted: ‘That’s me to a T. I try to be quick, so I don’t keep others waiting but I also chat to the staff to slow them down a bit.’
Someone else commented: ‘I do this… Load the conveyor with heavy stuff first (cans, bottles, frozen stuff), then light breakables last (crisps, bread pizza). Prep my bags, get them all open and ready.
‘I use the big square bags for life. They’re great. They’re big and stay open so I’m able to just chuck stuff in the trolley.’
However, some shoppers said that they utilise the designated packing area behind the tills so as not hold anyone else up
A third person said: ‘I pack at the till!!! I load stuff onto the conveyor belt in order, heavy stuff bottles tins etc then frozen stuff, fresh stuff and delicate stuff like eggs and bread go last.
‘I have my bags ready open and laid out in the trolley and then pack as it comes through the checkout!!! I can’t stand the thought of putting it back in the trolley to then have to pack it, put it all in the car and then un pack it again once I’m home.’
However, some shoppers said that they utilise the designated packing area behind the tills so as not hold anyone else up.
One commenter posted: ‘I pack in the packing area. That way I can just put everything back in the trolley as it goes through the checkout and pack at my own pace and not inconvenience anyone else.
‘I am not rushed, The cashier is not going to get a roasting for not scanning the amount of items she should in a set time and the line runes smoothly.’
Someone else said: ‘I sort as I shop then put on to conveyor in correct order. Partially pack at till and when it gets too much I put it back into the trolley. Then finish packing at shelf/counter.
‘Sometimes finish at till. Aim is to have my card in my hand as last item is scanned… 80 to 90 per cent success rate.’
Some Aldi employees even weighed in with their expertise on the subject of packing and said there were ways to slow down without losing their targets
Some Aldi employees even weighed in with their expertise on the subject of packing.
One posted: ‘Aldi employee here. If you want to pack at the till it is much easier if you organise your bits on the conveyor belt and have your bags open and ready.
‘I’ll always wait for you to get organised if you need to and if you need me to slow down then absolutely ask, there’s nothing worse than feeling panicked and pressured.
‘Yes we have to scan fast (1,100 items an hour) but there are methods for us to keep our till score high without throwing your biscuits at you (1 coding – fellow employees if you know you know).’
Another commented: ‘I’ve worked for aldi for over 20 years and believe me it is so much easier if you’ve got a lot of shopping just to simply out it back in our trolley and pack it afterwards on the packing bench that way not under pressure and got your own time to put into bags so things don’t get squashed etc.
‘It’s been this way since before I started and I really do believe it’s the best way. Unless you’ve got you’ve bags set up ready and keep up its your call.’
An Aldi spokesperson said: ‘Our colleagues are trained to operate the checkout at the appropriate pace for each individual customer, as providing an efficient checkout service helps us keep prices low.’