The issues that Swindon residents have with Aldi and Lidl self-service checkouts

Many supermarkets across the UK have introduced new self service checkouts.

Customers spoke to the Adver about how concerned they are that people may be losing jobs to these machines. 

Aldi on Romsey street, close to the Designer Outlet Swindon, is one of the many stores with these new self checkouts in their shop. 

The store closed for a month back in 2022 for a refurbishment and the installation of self service tills. 

Aldi self checkouts (Image: Newsquest)

Lisa C, a shopper in Aldi, said: “It takes jobs away from locals and I think that is a huge shame.

“Sometimes the shop will only have one person on the regular tills, whereas if the self checkouts didn’t exist, they could have multiple, which would obviously benefit the workers with more hours and pay.”

Lidl in Greenbridge Retail Park only recently introduced self checkouts in early 2025. 

Their customers shared similar concerns about the staff and employment market. 

Judy Smyth, a customer, said: “The self checkouts are so impersonal, I like the human interaction of a regular till, so I usually avoid the self service ones altogether.”

However, other customers of both the supermarkets praised the checkouts for how easy they are.

Chris Kerr, an Aldi customer said: “I like them, they’re super handy, especially when you have a small amount of stuff or in a rush.” 

Chris Kerr, Aldi customer (Image: Newsquest)

Swaralipi Kar, a Lidl customer: said: “They are hassle free and the new ones here are really fast unlike some other places.” 

Tina Johns, another Lidl customer said: “They are easier and quicker than regular tills, if you aren’t afraid of technology why wouldn’t you use them?” 

Tina Johns, Lidl customer (Image: Newsquest)

Most customers told the Adver that they prefer to use the regular tills over the new self checkouts.

Mavis Smith, an Aldi customer, said: “I normally use the tills when I come here, it’s easier with a trolley and it’s nice to speak to the staff.” 

Mavis Smith, Aldi customer (Image: Newsquest)

June Cummings, another Aldi customer, said: “I think the self checkouts are okay, I don’t personally use them and I think that elderly people might struggle to use them – my mum, for example, would find them difficult.”

June Cummings, Aldi customer (Image: Newsquest)

In July, Lidl GB said it is expanding its Lidl & Go self-scanning trial to 37 additional stores across the UK, following positive customer feedback from the initial seven-store pilot. 

The tool allows customers to scan items as they shop, tracking their spending and savings in real time through the Lidl Plus app.

The retailer has previously said it is “part of Lidl GB’s continued commitment to innovation and enhanced customer experience which will also see millions more invested in the rollout of self-checkouts across England and Wales”.

It also understood that self checkouts are not “about replacing one experience with another – with around two-thirds of customers choosing self-checkouts where available, it allows us to respond to that demand while ensuring our traditional staffed tills remain fully supported for those who prefer human interaction”.

In 2023, Aldi said: “Following positive feedback, we are introducing self-checkouts across the county to further improve customer experience.”

And many have since been rolled-out.

Lidl and Aldi have been asked for further comment.