Aldi UK checkout-free store at centre of cash row as Piers Corbyn pays for strawberries with coins
In early 2022, discount retailer Aldi UK launched its first autonomous store.
Situated on Greenwich High Street in London, it enables customers to complete their shop without scanning a single product, or having to go through a checkout.
They can download the Aldi Shop&Go app, which will allow them to enter the store, pick up their items, and then walk out when they have completed their shop.
Once a customer leaves, they will then be automatically charged via their selected payment method and a receipt will appear in the app.
The system, provided by AiFi, uses specially positioned cameras.
Those people wishing to buy alcohol, or other Challenge 25 products, are able to use facial age estimation technology, provided by Yoti, to authorise their purchase.
Giles Hurley, CEO at Aldi UK and Ireland, said at the time of the opening: “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.”
What no cash?
Fast forward to the present day and the store has been targeted by Piers Corbyn, brother of former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, and also a climate change denier, anti-vaccine activist, and conspiracy theorist.
In a video posted on social media, Corbyn can be seen holding a box of strawberries and putting down cash on a help table.
“This is a new dystopian store where you’re gonna be tracked when buying things,” he declares.
“I’m gonna buy some strawberries and I’m offering exactly the right amount of money. I’ve paid with legal tender. So you people take that money and I will take my strawberries outside.”
A staff member replies: “You can’t take that. The police are on the way.”
Corbyn then heads for the exit, advising staff members to call the police.
Aldi UK did not respond to our request for comment.
RTIH magazine
In the latest issue of RTIH magazine, Ron Delnevo, Chair of the UK Payment Choice Alliance, argues that cashless autonomous checkout shopping should not be the way of the future.
“Cash is the only method that always works; every retailer has experienced card and digital downtime – cash never goes down,” he states.
Check out his article in full here.
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