Aldi, the German grocery chain, introduced a unique system in the U.S. in 2017: customers need a quarter to use a shopping cart. This helps reduce costs by eliminating the need for extra staff to collect carts, prevents cart theft, and keeps parking lots organized.
When shoppers return the cart, they get their quarter back. This system is common in Europe and helps Aldi maintain low prices while encouraging responsible cart use. Though it may seem unusual, it benefits both the store and its customers by improving efficiency and keeping prices competitive.
