Tough Shopping Rules: Aldi, Lidl, Obi, Ikea and Co. now do it differently

At Aldi, Lidl, Rewe and Co., customers and employees must wear a mask. At the same time, retailers must ensure minimum distances in branches. This is one of the reasons why the measures in place since November include a restriction on authorization.

A maximum of one customer is allowed per ten square meters of retail space in supermarkets, discount stores, organic markets, furniture stores or department stores. As a result, smaller queues form in front of branches, mainly in many large cities.

Aldi Süd regulates operations with digital access control, for example. In addition, the discount giant has largely installed disinfection shelving. At the same time, customers who are not wearing the mask have to leave the house. The same goes for Aldi Nord.

The return of the deposit was also adjusted. Customers no longer have to press buttons to get their deposit. Aldi had already implemented the measure in the spring. If customers no longer throw out bottles, the machine prints the receipt within five seconds Aldi Süd supplies disposable aluminum gloves to the bread maker, which customers can use to operate the machine.

Cash registers and plexiglass walls are disinfected at regular intervals. The coffee machines, which were mostly located at the entrance or exit of the branch, were gradually dismantled in the spring. Competitor Lidl has also taken similar measures. Here, too, shopping should be stress-free, safe and compliant with all regulations.

Supermarket giant Rewe has also closed self-service salad counters in many branches, employees tell CHIP. The offer had already disappeared across the board in the spring. Some traders had offered salads again in the height of summer, particularly to cater for commuters and employees for lunch breaks. As CHIP learned, the company is increasingly testing the sale of packaged salads and takeaway meals in some cities.

Additionally, restrictions on admission to larger Rewe centers are regulated by security personnel. A spokesperson said: “Where the influx of customers makes it necessary, we limit access.”

Edeka proceeds in a similar way. The company has introduced additional Plexiglas plates to satisfy, for example, sufficient hygiene measures when returning a deposit. At the fruit and vegetable stand, employees help with the packing of goods.

In a Munich branch, an Edeka branch has even set up signs asking customers to touch only the fruits and vegetables they really want to buy.