First cashier-free Aldi opens its doors in Utrecht: this is how it works

On Wednesday 20 July, Aldi will open the doors of a new supermarket that works on scanning devices without cash registers. A system of cameras on the ceiling, sensors on the shelves and smart algorithms automatically detects which groceries a customer takes with him.

Cashier-free Aldi

So you don’t have to go to the cash register at the Aldi which is located in the Lange Viestraat in Utrecht. You do have to link your debit card with the new ‘ALDI Shop & Go’ app. That’s only once, because after that you can simply walk out with the groceries every time you shop. All you have to do every time you shop is scan QR codes. First at the entrance and finally at the exit.

Aldi states in its press release that there are still employees walking around in the store. They replenish the shelves and answer customer questions. Aldi sees the new branch as a test for both employees and customers. In recent months, several shopping sessions have been organized where Aldi employees could test the machine learning system. With the opening of the test branch, a new phase is entered, in which customers can also experience this new way of shopping and the system is further optimized.

No facial recognition

The technology that works with cameras, sensors and smart algorithms was developed by the company Trigo Vision Ltd. The intention is that only the movements of customers are followed and there is deliberately no use of facial recognition or other biometric characteristics.

Aldi is confident in its first checkout-free store. “We know from research that our customers appreciate fast and simple processes at the cash registers. Our test branch in Utrecht fits in perfectly with this,” says Jan Oostvogels, CEO of Aldi Holding BV in the Netherlands. Four years ago, Spar and Albert Heijn also opened their first checkout-free stores

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