Pilot Project for Package-Free Grocery Logistics Results Announced by the UK Refill Coalition
DIGI participated in the project by installing e.Sense, a self-service weighing solution that minimizes customer effort. We will continue to introduce our Tareless weighing technology, which allows shoppers to see the price in real time and removes the need for tare deduction as well
The project employed returnable “Vessel” containers throughout the supply chain, eliminating disposable plastics from delivery and removing the need for in-store refilling and container washing. This closed-loop system addresses hygiene concerns—97% of users rated the refill station “hygienic”—and allows shoppers to buy products at prices lower than their pre-packaged counterparts.
Results from two Aldi UK trial stores show that sales share for in-store refills reached a regular 30%, and as high as 56%, compared to single-use packaged alternatives. Given that the stores’ previous refill rate was 8–10 %, the new system’s contribution to sales has been clearly demonstrated.
The initiative significantly reduced plastic-packaging waste and carbon emissions without disrupting day-to-day operations. Numerous commercial, operational, customer-experience, and environmental KPIs were achieved, demonstrating the effectiveness of a reusable-vessel container model for product transport and retail.
DIGI has been actively involved in the launch since its inception, believing that refills must match packaged goods in ease and convenience. Our stress-free refill weighing and labelling solution—which lightens the workload for both store staff and shoppers—has been cited as one of the major factors in the project’s success.
