Inside Aldi's first ever checkout-free store as it opens to the public in London

Aldi has become the latest supermarket to open a checkout-free store following a successful trial.

The supermarket opened its first ever Aldi Shop&Go shop to the public this morning in Greenwich High Street in London.

The new store sees customers complete their shop without having to use a checkout – or having scanned any items.

Shoppers must download and use the Aldi Shop&Go app to enter the shop.

As they go around the store, special cameras with technology provided by AiFi then track what items are picked up.

After they’ve finished their shopping, the customer then simply walks out and they’ll be automatically charged via the Aldi Shop&Go app.

Shoppers can choose what payment method they want to use within the app, and a receipt is sent to them digitally as well.

Customers wishing to purchase alcohol, or other Challenge 25 products, will be able to use facial age estimation technology to authorise their purchase.

Those who opt to not use the system will instead be age verified by a store colleague.

Aldi, which is now the fifth largest supermarket chain in the UK, first started trialling out this checkout-free store back in September 2021.

The supermarket hasn’t said if it plans on opening more of its new Shop&Go stores.

The move follows other grocers including Tesco and Sainsbury’s that have opened similar concepts in recent months, off the back of Amazon expanding its high street presence in the UK.

Do you think Aldi needs a checkout-free store? Let us know in the comments below.

Amazon now has a total of 15 Fresh outlets in the UK, with the first having opened in Ealing in March last year, and the last welcoming customers in Chingford, Euston and Wandsworth in December.

Meanwhile, Tesco has just the one GetGo shop and Sainsbury’s has its SmartShop Pick & Go concept, both of which are located in Holborn.

Giles Hurley, CEO of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Today is the culmination of months of work, not least from the team here in Greenwich and I’m looking forward to seeing how customers react to our trial.

“This store utilises the very latest in retail technology offering Aldi’s award-winning products and unbeatable prices to customers in a new and innovative way.

“The team are really excited about seeing customers come in and experience Aldi Shop&Go.”

Lewis Esparon, store manager, said: “I cannot wait to show customers our new Aldi Shop&Go store.

“We have been working towards this day for several months now so it will be great to see how our customers react to the new technology.

“For us, steps like this are always about improving the customer experience and the whole team are looking forward to being on-hand and ready to help to ensure that experience is as smooth as ever.”