If you’re new to Aldi, one detail often stands out right away: the shopping cart deposit. To unlock a cart, customers insert a small, refundable coin—usually a quarter—which they get back after returning the cart to its proper place. It may seem unusual at first, but most shoppers find the system intuitive after a single visit.
The idea behind the deposit is simple: encourage cart returns. Since shoppers retrieve and return their own carts, parking lots stay more organized and carts are almost always available near the entrance. Fewer abandoned carts also mean less clutter and smoother foot and vehicle traffic, especially during peak shopping hours.
This approach plays directly into Aldi’s famously efficient business model. Managing loose carts requires labor, time, and ongoing maintenance, all of which add to operating costs. By making cart return a shared responsibility, the company reduces those expenses—savings that are ultimately passed on to customers in the form of lower grocery prices.
The policy also fits neatly with Aldi’s focus on simplicity and sustainability. Alongside its encouragement of reusable shopping bags, the cart deposit promotes mindful habits without charging fees or creating inconvenience. Since the coin is fully refunded, the system isn’t about profit—it’s about efficiency, shared courtesy, and keeping everyday essentials affordable for shoppers around the world.