Why Aldi’s Barcodes Are So Large

Aldi makes its barcodes larger and includes multiple copies across its packaging to speed up checkout—whether by staff or at self-service kiosks. An Aldi spokesperson told Nexstar Media, “We’ve designed our barcodes to ensure products can be scanned quickly from almost any angle… reducing the time shoppers spend searching for codes. That allows them to check out and get back to life outside the grocery store.” 

This small but smart tweak is part of Aldi’s broader push for efficiency. In fact, cashiers are expected to scan up to 1,200 items per hour, and the streamlined barcode setup reportedly makes the checkout process about 40% faster than at other supermarkets.

Aldi’s commitment to speed isn’t just a customer convenience—it’s a competitive edge fueling rapid growth. The chain is on track to open 225 new U.S. stores in 2025, bringing its total to around 2,400 and making it the nation’s third-largest grocer.