Why Does Aldi Make Customers Pay
Aldi has a simple but unusual rule: shoppers must pay a small fee to use a cart.
This policy encourages customers to return carts properly instead of leaving them around the parking lot.
By doing this, Aldi avoids the cost of chasing down “lost or damaged carts,” which helps the store keep prices low.
Because Aldi runs on a streamlined model, the system also cuts labor costs.
Instead of hiring employees to gather carts, customers handle it themselves,
allowing Aldi to focus on “providing quality products at affordable prices.”
The policy also supports environmental goals. Since Aldi doesn’t offer free bags,
shoppers are pushed to bring reusable ones.
This reduces plastic waste and fits the chain’s sustainability efforts.
Importantly, the cart fee isn’t meant to profit Aldi.
It is “fully refundable upon the return of the cart,”
reinforcing a sense of fairness and personal responsibility in the shopping experience.
