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Aldi shoppers fuming after discounter scraps ‘life saver’ service and threaten to ‘go elsewhere’
Find out what other retailers offer customers below
ALDI shoppers have been left gutted after the discounter confirmed it is scrapping a key service.
The "life saver" feature will be gone for good in days after launching just four years ago at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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The retailer is axing click and collect at 174 stores from next week in a blow for customers.
The service, which costs £4.99, allows shoppers to browse grocery items online and then choose a time window to pick them up from their nearest branch.
But Aldi has said it will permanently stop offering the service from August 19.
A spokesperson for the chain said: "At Aldi, our focus is on providing customers with high-quality products at the lowest possible prices.
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"One of the ways we keep our prices low for customers is by running the most efficient supermarket business in Britain.
"As a result, we’ve made the decision to bring our Click and Collect service to an end so we can focus on doing just that."
News the service will be axed permanently has been met with frustration by shoppers on Facebook.
One said: "I'm gutted, will no longer be shopping there anymore.
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"I can't stand doing my shopping instore and being pressured to load and unload a full shop.
"Plus click and collect worked so well around my job."
Ways to save money on your next Aldi shop
A second commented: "That's me finished with them then, I'm close to going elsewhere."
A third added: "It's been a life saver for the last few years so really gonna miss it."
Meanwhile, a fourth raised fears for those with disabilities and the elderly who rely on the service to get their weekly groceries.
They posted: "Awful for the loads of disabled and carers strapped for time.
"The elderly who I know a few who find it a godsend."
Aldi launched click and collect in September 2020 in the depths of the coronavirus pandemic, but in recent years has started winding it down, with 12 branches pulling the service in July 2023.
It comes as the German discounter winds down its online operations across the board.
In January last year, The Sun exclusively revealed Aldi was to pull the plug on home deliveries before the end of the year.
In 2022, the discount supermarket stopped working with Deliveroo after launching with the food delivery app in 2020.
Aldi said at the time that home deliveries were never part of the company's long-term business model.
It's not all bad news for Aldi shoppers though.
It has pledged to increase the number of operational stores to 1,500 across the UK.
It has already revealed dozens of locations where it wants to open stores before the end of 2025.
WHAT OTHER SUPERMARKETS OFFER
If Aldi's latest move has you thinking about taking your custom elsewhere, there are plenty of other retailers still offering a click and collect service.
Here is what some of the major supermarket chains offer.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's offers click and collect across 322 UK stores, with customers able to do their shopping online then pick a one hour slot to pick everything up.
Shoppers have to pay a minimum 50p charge to collect items worth £25 or over, otherwise there is a £4 surcharge.
Customers needing their groceries in a hurry can order via same-day click and collect and are charged £2 for orders over £25 and £6 for orders under £25.
Tesco
Tesco offers click and collect across over 500 locations, with shoppers first having to book a slot online before filling up their virtual basket.
Customers have to spend a minimum of £25 and pay 25p for a next-day collection slot while same-day slots are available for up to £2.
If you order for same-day collection, you can collect after 4pm if you book a slot before midday.
Asda
Asda offers click and collect across 450 locations across the UK.
Shoppers have to book a slot via the retailer's website then fill up their virtual basket or trolley.
There are three different fees depending on what level of service you want.
You can pick up from your nearest collection point within four hours of ordering for a £3.50 fee with no minimum spend.
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Meanwhile, you can collect over four hours after ordering for £1.50 if your basket is £25 or less, or £3 if it's under £25.
Next-day delivery or later is 50p with a £25 minimum spend or £3 or your order is less than £25.
How to bag a bargain
SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain…
Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with.
Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks.
Sales are when you can pick up a real steal.
Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on.
Sign up to mailing lists and you’ll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.
When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use vouchercodes.co.uk and myvouchercodes.co.uk are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer.
Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. Trolley.co.uk app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping.
Bargain hunters can also use B&M’s scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out.
And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you’ll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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