The Real Reason Aldi Cashiers Sit Behind The Register

Aldi’s cashiers look pretty cozy sitting behind those chairs behind the register. But there's a more practical reason why the store lets their cashiers sit down — and it has nothing to do with comfort.

#GroceryStore #Aldi #Cashier

Voiceover by: Chrissy Baker

[keithweiss]

My dad was the person who designed those checkouts, based upon requirements set forth by the Aldi Company. One of the things he did was to talk with the people using them to find out what he could do to increase comfort. One thing was to put the people on a platform so they would be off of the concrete/tile floor and fill that platform with foam insulation to help keep feet warm. He also put trim around the edges so the roller chairs bump into it and warn the checkout person that they are at the edge. He positioned the register so that it would be at a good height for most people. Representatives came from Germany and were quite impressed with his design. That was decades ago and it is still being used.

[dodgechance]

The fact that being allowed to sit instead of being forced to stand for hours on end is "an unusual tactic" in the US is crazy. Here in the UK it's essentially universally allowed for those working the tills to sit while doing so (at least in supermarkets).

[MartinIbert]

In Germany, where ALDI comes from, all cashiers sit, and (almost) all carts take a deposit coin (or chip). It's completely normal. Not just at ALDI --- everywhere.

[barrysteven]

I've travelled widely across Europe and lived in the UK, France, the Czech Republic and Russia. I've never come across a country where cashiers are NOT sitting down. Standing up at the cash desk is very much a USA thing.

[dea]

I am always sad to see elderly cashiers standing an entire shift. Actually, I'm sad that they must work into their golden years. 😢

[jamess]

Having barcodes on many sides of the product is a big help as well.

[loriabarker]

I don't see why every store doesn't let their cashiers sit..it's more efficient, less strainious, and it's nice to see the worker not miserable the entire time from standing in one spot for long periods of time. Walking and bending is better than standing, I'd rather unload trucks than stand in one spot all day.

[thaisstone]

I worked checkouts at several different New World supermarkets and DEMANDED to be allowed a seat; I had half a disc removed when I was 23 to relieve my sciatica and standing in one place was sheer hell.

[martinstent]

The latest Aldi thing here in their homeland (Germany) is the dual checkout: There are 2 bays after each checkout where the scanned produce is pushed to. While one customer is paying, the cashier is already scanning and forwarding the shopping for the next customer and pushing it into the second bay. Why? Because it eliminates the wait for payment. So each cashier is basically processing 2 customeres in parallel.

[ro]

I love Aldi, great prices and I really don’t mind bagging my own groceries.

[elainegoad]

Employers should be concerned about the health and well being of their employees. This can prevent people becoming disabled caused by the type of work they do.

[olliesmom]

I'm a cashier at Walmart. It would make my job much easier if I could sit

[dianewilliams]

Love this store i just wish they had electric shopping carts fir the handicapped! But seating cashiers is brilliant! 😊😊😊

[annemcclain]

One can NEVER please everyone. Do your best and appreciate self.

[cneale]

Spot on! I remember that the training course really pushed to idea of ergonomics, from the seated position of the cashiers to the set up of the scanners

[shannonfuller]

I remember when they didn't have scanners and Aldi employees had to memorize prices and punch it in on the register. They were still very fast

[angelachouinard]

I love Aldi and I have noticed their cashiers are very fast. They are certainly not at a disadvantage by sitting.

[sammijo]

Being someone who lives in Australia I used to stand full time hours 8 hours a day on one spot I suffered from lack of blood supply to my legs and ended up in extreme pain from this. All because in Australia most workplaces have no allowed check stand with stools.

Standing on the spot for hours on end is super hard on the blood, muscles and bones and body, it is very unhealthy to stand in one space all day.

[Satasha_knows]

Back when i lived in the UK every supermarket cashier (not just Aldi) sat down. I was shocked when moving to the US as everyone stands here.
Also....back in the 90's at Aldis the cashiers knew all the prices no scanning back then at Aldi's, bit old fashioned it was compared to say Tesco's or Sainsbury's. You needed a good memory to work at there and they were QUICK too.

Hope the quality has improved, they used to be a little rough, i remember buying baked beans which was mostly sauce with about 3 beans... that was 1994 though😅

[danielmorris]

I'm so glad I found out why they sit down as otherwise I was going to be awake all night trying to work it