Hi,
I'm 30+ yo male, live in Sydney, work in Aldi Supermarket for about 3 years.
Probably any of you would like to know anything about Aldi' stuffs or general supermarket/Aldi related things.
Thanks
[AMA] I Work in ALDI, You Can Ask Me Anything
LKobee on 01/03/2018 - 17:37
closed Comments
Clearance stuffs are set by each store manager according to the quantity, quality of the remaining special buys following certain company policies. Store managers have ability to set all according to store's condition. So each store may have different discount or clearance products.
We do run stock everyday to make sure availability and all shelves are full however we can't guarantee shelves are full all the time since in many case some customers tend to buy in bulk, left nothing for other customers. Running stock frequently during the day also does not guarantee this issue won't happen.
We do not sell products in large quantities like in other supermarket for efficiency too, to avoid higher storage cost or just to make sure products are freshly made.
Apologize for not going into so detail in this matter :)
why there is always so much empty shelf space for the weekly items?
Weekly items exist to draw shoppers in. Displaying that you have sold out of stock means they'll come in quicker next time…
Are store managers super stressed due to crazy management above? Apparently the ALDI grad program is a nightmare…
The higher you get they higher they expect from you I guess.
I don't have much info about this but i find Aldi is quite fair in term of treating their employees, but yes management expect a lot from the managers!I heard ALDI management would demand rent adjuatments even if you are out by a few cents.
rent adjustments?
Sorry I've never heard about it.No. Generally there is a $5 margin of error. If you're out in your till constantly over $5, you will most likely go through retraining. But you would not have to pay for any money which is out. Not only is that illegal, but not demanded by Aldi.
Sometimes I see management inside my local store at like 8pm on the weekend, despite closing at 5pm (SA). Must be a truck load of crap to do
Yeah, they work on weekend sometimes but pretty sure they get good benefit too. Retail work can be very demanding.
My sister's friend says he STARTS at 8pm. What do these people do?
Also, are fresh groceries always marked down in the morning before store opening?
Isn't the starting salary for ALDI Store managers 110k? So you pretty much gotta perform well or get booted.
The Aldi Grad program you're referring to is most likely for the Area Managers. It's not super stressful being a Store Manager, but you're expected to get good results.
Aldi has special buys coming every 3 days, due by dates have to be checked daily. Its demanding to get it all right all the time.
Can you put in a recommendation for me in a Vic store? :D
lol, I don't have any power to do that :)
As a store assistant, you do have some power actually. You can put in a form of recommendation. If the person you recommended lasts through the 90 days probationary, you will receive $2000 bonus.
Is it true that Aldi pays better rates than Coolies?
Aldi is very open, when you see their job ad, you can see the rate we got.
Yes, it pays above Coles or Woolies but only because we do ALL the things from register to floor, mentally and physically challenging job. (Oh yea i work in Coles before for short period).
User name checks out.
What’s wrong with you?
@Divitini: I have. It isn't very hard. Certainly not as difficult as some other jobs I have done and many others have done worse.
Is checkout mentally challenging or just mentally draining though? Can see how it would be the latter, not so much the former, I mean, you just scan items, right?
Beep, beep, beep, beep?
@stonkered: Well it is, basically try standing there 8 hrs a day beeping shit for the rest of ur life without going crazy, and sometimes you'll get the odd customer who'll drive you even more bat shit crazy. Unless you've got a dead brain it's mentally challenging not to become insane.
I can see how it would be a hard job in that sense, but I'd describe that as (emotionally) draining rather than mentally challenging.
I'm a bit dubious about the 'physical' bit… (No-one at Aldi ever stinks of B.O. or fags from 5m away like the packers at Coles do.)
I work at Dan Murphy's and it is a very heavy physical job. I can imagine in general Retail can be pretty demanding on the body, standing on your feet anywhere between 8 to 12 hour shifts is harsh. People do take care of their personal hygiene.
ALDI pays store assistants ~$24.55/hr, $12 extra on Sunday and $49.10 (double time) on public holidays. Deputy managers get paid an extra $9/hr when no TSM, ASM or SM is on shift. All store assistant/deputy manager employees are on minimum guaranteed contracts ranging from 15-30hrs per week. i.e. You are guaranteed to get paid 30hrs if on a 30hr contract per week even if you work 25hrs. The following week you may work 35hrs but you will only get paid for 30hrs. There are no full time positions although you may work close to full time hours on occasion according to needs of the business. Overtime is paid to store assistants at a rate of $36.80 (1.5x). Payable when shifts extend beyond 9hrs and outside ordinary hours which are M-Fri 6am-11pm. Sat-Sun 6am-8pm (possible state variances.)
Training store managers, or TSM, Assistant store managers, ASM and Store managers, SM, are on 40 to 50hr contracts and are salaried. Some TSM may be on a 30hr contract. They do not receive overtime or public holiday rates. Any overtime worked beyond their contract is banked. This is often referred to as lieu hours. Eg. Say you're on a 40hr contract and you work 46hours one week and 45hrs the next, instead of getting paid 91hrs, you will get paid your contract 80hrs and have 11hrs as time off in lieu which can be taken at a later time.
ASM's are paid a base salary plus a business review payment - basically a fortnightly bonus according to store sales. These can be altered at the discretion of ALDI.
SM's are paid a base salary plus a business review payment in addition to a productivity bonus.Whats the base salary of TSM, ASM and SM?
My base salary as a TSM is 61k
I used to work with a guy who said that he was a Manager for Aldi in the UK. He got 70k pounds a year. He might have been an area manager though. He reckons he only lasted around 4 years but apparently that's a good run.
@locknuts: I've had store managers that I've worked with earn upto 120k, even more than our area manager at that time
30 hours a week for 3 years and not permanent staff.
A scum employer I see.. stick with coles
There are no full time positions
Even the store manager? (Casuals get extra loading).
There are no full time store assistant or deputy manager positions. Like I said in my previous comment, TSM's, ASM's and SM's are on 40-50hr contracts. TSM's can be on 30hr contracts.
I need some explanation of the abbreviations.
TSM - Training Store Manager?
ASM - Area Store Manager?
SM - Store Manager?
Any plans on introducing self serve?
Maybe someday, I saw one newly renovated Aldi with self serve area which aren't operated.
Well self serve needs one staff to assist (we are very very efficient in placing staffs). Self serve also comes with some problems (theft etc).
" (we are very very efficient in placing staffs)."
not my experience - register x closing - carnts
They always seem to be good to me, opening new registers when they start to fill up.
Hope they never bring in self serve, I hate them with a passion
Because it means you are doing the work they used to, with no cheaper price. Also, at busy times self serves often are busy too, so you still have to wait to get your stuff.
because you dont get paid to pack your own stuff.
@goodspeler:
because kids should be doing these jobs not computers
yes i worked maccas and woolies as a junior
i now see a much less staff on as the computers save the need to employ 2-5 junior operators when i look and compare to my shifts.
think how macccas had 6-12 plus computers for orders on counter now only 2-3 typicallyi believe that's an inevitable component of human evolution. in the same manner that robots/computers will eventually fight wars for us, robots/computers will also begin to fill repetitive/menial tasks to save us "getting our hands dirty". its not all doom and gloom as this means more humans will be required for cerebral/creative jobs that entail design and architecture as opposed to doing the actual building.
I do too. However, I also understand their usefulness from a consumer perspective when used within reason. Personally when I see the manned checkout lines filled with a few people deep and I don't have much to checkout, its an easy decision to make use of the often lonely self-serve checkouts to save myself time (i.e. waiting in a queue). I think they are a brilliant idea because they give people options… nothing wrong with that and its the best of both worlds because both types of checkouts coexist in harmony.
Has there been any discussion of an express lane?
Sometimes people with a week's worth of groceries will let me go ahead when I have only a few items. Others aren't as considerate and/or alert.
Express lane!? They already THROW your items at you like missiles at current speed!
You're telling me? I wear a catcher's mit every time I shop there!
I just don't want to have to wait while Doris fumbles around in her purse for 15c.
The Melbourne CBD store has express lanes - 8 items or less. Customers at that particular store tend to buy fewer items which is reflected in the lower average spend than the typical ALDI. I doubt they'd introduce them to other stores unless they had similar metrics.
How about an express lane? I never buy more than a few items but I have to wait for people with trolleys full of items, unless they let me push in which I've never seen happen at Aldi. For that reason I rarely shop there.
If you open up a lane just for X items or less, I'll be back. I like the products, just don't like the queues.
EDIT: seems question has been asked already. Sorry, didn't want to read through 400 comments before I forget my question.
Scanned item: Carrots
Scanned item: Carrots
Scanned item: Carrots
Scanned item: Carrots
Scanned item: Carrots
Scanned item: Carrots
Scanned item: Carrots
Why did you get downvoted hehehe
;)
The CEO of Aldi Australia is actively avoiding the idea of putting self serve in the stores due to the fact that it takes away the customer service.
EDIT: I might add also. The rules for opening new registers in store is if there is anyone PASSED the belt, they should open up another line. Always depends on the store and workers though.
Basically it is for our comfort but we do have to stand up when we lift heavy items on the belt. We sometimes stand up too when we're so tired of sitting down. We are told to sit but managers never really have problem when we stand up sometimes.
I applaud letting you sit.
F*** yeah. Why cant Woolies and COles let their staff sit? No one makes me stand at my desk all day.
Can you bounce on a Swiss ball while scanning items?
It’s a European thing. Aldi (and all other supermarkets in north west Europe) do this.
Grew up there, was wondering why check out people have to stand when I first came out hereCan't even visualise it given the normal size of Swiss ball.. do you have a pic?
As an Aldi Store assistant, you're trained to scan in a particular way to avoid any work place injuries. This includes the way your arms are and that they are aligned to the register. Also there is a footrest to keep your legs at a 90 degree angle. Like Kobee said, we can stand up if we want to, but it's against the wishes of Store Management.
Places like the UK it is the norm for register staff to sit & they dont pack your bags for you. Woolies/coles have a monopoly so you get treated like they dont care about you.
Play the national anthem on your smartphone while your items are being scanned. Accuse the checkout person of being un-Australian if they don't stand.
Hahah..!
Hahaha
haHAA
…why? How does the cashier sitting affect you in any way?
I'm guessing it must be some form of arbitrary social faux pas.
As someone that works in Woolworths, I envy Aldi employees due to the fact they can sit down. My back aches after every shift, yet I'm sure I can do just as good a job sitting down and standing only when necessary
Costanza wanted the security guard to have a chair!
I couldn't care less about it, and it's news to me that anyone does care. :/
Why? What difference does it make if they’re sitting down?
Should they also get on their knees to polish your shoes?
And while they're down there…
Thanks for the post. (sorry for so many questions)
1. Do many people get grumpy by your policy of continually opening and closing registers? It really annoys me when you are waiting at the end of a long queue, suddenly a register opens and someone who hasn't been waiting rushes in and then is served well before you.
2. Wondering about the general consensus of the new store layout amongst staff and customers?
3. Quite often in Melbourne I find everyday stock items such as frozen pies out of stock. Do you find this happens often?
4. Is theft a huge problem, and are you instructed to actively look for suspicious people? I find staff at my local are always actively scanning for people who may look suspicious and will often comment to each other if they see someone acting suspiciously. Especially around the alcohol section.
5. People often comment on the generous return policy here. Is there some abuse of this by customers?Oh yes and yes but customers nowadays tend to used to how Aldi works. For us, we hope to serve customers as fair as we can, we have to open another register when customers already stand over the belt. So if you're in this situation you better be ready to hop on to another register.
New store lay-out is discussed and informed to staffs about 4-5 months beforehand so we can plan our work (in other aldi) or to have holiday. Customers are informed through flyers and signs 1-2 months before the store close for about 2 weeks.
I'm wondering what sort of general info you need to know about this? I hope this answer the question?Yes true. Some stocks might not come regularly (due to out of stock etc), or some customers just buy in bulk and left nothing for others. We try to stock every morning or night to fill all shelves though.
Big yes, yes we do communicate each other. We have to inspect bags as well at the register. We sometimes get info from customers as well (and we appreciate that). Register staffs also get info for any suspicious customers that needed to be inspected thoroughly once they are served.
Yes, I really hate when customers doing this hehe. So many silly reasons you can imagine :). Clothes, Ski stuffs, books, giant TVs..too name a few.
Thanks OP! Regarding store layout, I realise the new layout is much more modern, but much preferred the old layout, so was wondering if if you have had negative or positive feedback regarding the new store fit-out (I assume this has happened in Sydney, 3 of 4 Aldi's I shop at in Melbourne have changed). An example my mother-in-law is wheelchair bound, with how some of the new freezers are configured she is now physically unable to access these as they are reasonably high but are also recessed in above the main freezer. (hope this makes sense)
Yup, my store actually the newly lay-out one which we as staff are very happy about it. Most of customers' feedback are great, cause it looks and feels more spacey. Some are complain because everything is now re-layout or moved to other area thus have to learn again of where everything is.
Yes true, the freezer now has like standing storage with doors, this is actually one of strategies that bring more space to the store.
I'm pretty sure Aldi staff will give hands for someone who is unable to reach the stuffs in the freezer.
5) Yes there is some certain member who ripped a plastic shopping bag handle to get their 15c refunded. Some people are such scabs ;)
True lol
I still am not 100% he wasnt trolling
@kungfupanda: Nah I didn't because I still am inclined to believe he was serious in that one haha :)
I've always been impressed by the cashiers being able to do mental arithmetic. For example if the total is $10.30, and I give them $50.50, they know right away what to do without having to wait for the till to tell them the change. Is this a skill that's screened for in recruitment?
Yes, Aldi staffs have to calculate change manually.
It's pretty scary at first for new staff but once we used to it, it actually not that bad (yea we do miss sometimes especially when we have lots in our mind lol or so many crazy customers ruin our concentration!}There isn't any specific test during recruitment for this, i think managers just want someone who can count (basic yes), familiar with aussie money and can work under pressure.
That's a question that I wanted to ask—because I thought ALDI staff actually did the maths themselves. I am wondering what happens when you make mistakes—do you need to pay for it yourself? My understanding is that usually there is an allowance for staff to make mistakes?
Also, I went to an ALDI store once and they went out of the item that I wanted to buy. I went to ask the staff member to see if they will check if there is this item at the back of the store but was told just to come back the next day. Do ALDI store not store goods at the back of the store or are they instruct to not to look for goods for customers?
Last question—apart from working in the cashier, what do you do at the back of the store? I am always surprised to see how some of the ALDI staff works in the cashiers and they disappear afterwards (when they don't have many customers waiting to pay anymore)—it seems like they don't need to re-stock all the goods as well (given my above experience), so I wonder what other tasks they may need to do :)
If we made mistakes 1-2 times that's okay but if we keep making mistakes, that will costs to our performance. No we don't need to pay anything.
If it is regular items, if you are told to go back next day, it means they are out of the product that day and have to wait for delivery next day. I'm sure staff already checked at the back and couldn't find it (or in some case it is at very back of lining pallets, which is very hard to get until all pallets are ran later.
We run stock, tidy up shelves, get rid of boxes, manage warehouse, filling bread milk produce, run chiller or freezer stuffs..so many things to do other than register :)
Been a while since I last shopped. Are the checkouts still the old fashioned type with a keyboard, or is it a touch screen like Coles and Woolies?
I think having the system tell you how much change to give will lead to fewer mistakes. I did not know you have to calculate it manually. Knowing that, in future I will have to double check that I'm getting the right change.
Love ALDI and the workers at my local work hard going between stocking items and register when things get busy.
I made the ALDI clearance thread as my local at times has some good stuff. Always wondered though how clearance are set per store/region etc?
I've wondered on the business side why there is always so much empty shelf space for the weekly items? Every other supermarket, there is a fight for shelf space with products paying to be stocked higher than others yet ALDI just has loads of empty space not making money. For a company that runs so efficiently, it seems very inefficient.