'Traffic light' queueing at Aldi - does it get the green light from shoppers?

Queueing to get into our supermarkets has become part of the new normal and discount store Aldi has moved up a gear with its "traffic lights" system.

It revealed this new way last month and lights are being installed at more and more shop entrances, writes the Liverpool Echo.

With many of us having to wait, in whatever the weather, to get our groceries and special buys, could this mean a quicker, more efficient way of getting us in and out, and still in line with the two-metre social distancing rules?

Aldi is hoping this new system would help control the number of customers going in and out of its shops and said would be rolled out nationwide.

As the name suggests, the “traffic light system” signals when customers can enter stores based on individual store customer limits.

One of our reporters trundled their trolley and parked in line at Aldi’s Aigburth store to see if it meant for easier shopping.

What has changed?

Getting into supermarkets has been a feat in itself since lockdown began in March.

The new system means there’s still queues but staff will no longer be making the calls, instead the system is based on capacity numbers of the individual stores.

So the light will remain red while the shop is full, before turning green when a customer can enter.

Aldi has started installing traffic lights for its queues - do they get the green light? (Hull Daily Mail)

Did the queue go faster?

It certainly felt like it.

Other shoppers also seemed calmer too with this new system to follow.

Should traffic lights be at all stores?

The faster the system is available across the UK, the better, reckoned the reporter.

While the rollout is ongoing, Aldi has confirmed all stores will have the traffic light system by July.

Once in place, the traffic light system will run alongside the measures already in place at all Aldi stores to ensure social distancing, in a bid to keep customers and staff safe.

These include protective screens at checkouts, sanitisation stations for customers, distancing markers on shop floors, as well as signage to offer clear guidance on how to shop safely. Stores are also encouraging one customer per trolley where possible.