…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
Aldi, the German supermarket chain, has caused confusion among its customers after installing Welsh signs in its store in Cowes, Isle of Wight, rather than in English.
The self-service checkouts at the store were upgraded, and before the upgrade became operational, new signage was installed in Welsh, which has caused confusion among customers.
The company claimed that it was “an honest mistake,” and the signs would be replaced.
Mistaken location
According to reports, shoppers were baffled by the Welsh signage at the Cowes branch, with some suggesting the installation team may have confused the location of the store with Newport in South Wales.
The signs read, “Hunan Checkouts Arian parod a cherdyn,” which means “self-checkouts, cash and card” in English.
After being informed of the error, Aldi removed the signage.
Previous translation errors
This is not the first time a supermarket has made a translation error.
In 2019, Asda printed the words “Isle of White” on special carrier bags to commemorate the opening of a branch in Newport on the Isle of Wight.
In 2013, the supermarket chain placed temporary English-Welsh signs in a store in Cambridge.
Customer reactions
Shoppers have been taking to social media to share their amusement and bewilderment at the mistake, with one Facebook user praising Aldi for welcoming Welsh visitors to the store.
Others questioned how the signage had been installed before the error was detected.
Aldi has not released any further comments on the matter.