The reason is surprisingly simple: Aldi’s cart-deposit system is designed to encourage customers to return their carts themselves.
At Aldi, you typically insert a coin or token to unlock a shopping cart. When you return the cart to the designated area and lock it back into the chain, your coin is returned.
This helps Aldi:
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Reduce labor costs associated with collecting carts from the parking lot.
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Keep parking areas clearer and safer by encouraging customers to return carts.
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Reduce cart loss and damage, since customers have an incentive to bring them back.
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Keep prices low, which fits Aldi’s broader low-cost operating model.
So you’re generally not actually being charged for the cart. You’re leaving a small refundable deposit that you get back when you return it.
The exact deposit varies by country and store, and some locations use tokens rather than coins.
