A nationwide search has found the new announcer for self-checkouts
Following a nationwide hunt and public vote Alan Macdonald from Oban has been crowned the voice of Lidl’s Scottish self-checkouts.
The high-profile search to find a uniquely Scottish voice comes after the retailer plans to introduce new self-checkout technology at stores across Scotland by the end of November 2025.
MacDonald’s voice will be ‘live’ at all of Lidl’s Scottish stores from Wednesday 1st October, guiding them along as they scan their shopping.
After a search was started to find an ‘Unexpected Scottish Voice’ in May, 46-year-old Alan was one of 10 finalists shortlisted by Lidl for a public vote, after more than 20,000 Scots took part in voting for their favourite, including Scottish Hollywood star, Alan Cumming, who described the Obanite’s audition as “firm, but sort of cheeky at the same time”.
After losing his eyesight at age thirty, MacDonald overcame adversity and retrained to work in sound engineering – a story that won the hearts and minds of Lidl shoppers.
MacDonald said of winning the competition: “It’s a real honour that the people of Scotland decided that my voice should be Lidl’s first ever Scottish one for their self-checkouts.
“After I lost my eyesight at 30, I went back to university to study sound engineering, which led me to working at my local radio station, Oban FM, doing everything from production, to recording ad jingles for local businesses and eventually hosting my own lunchtime show. Since then, I’ve become quite the audio nerd and try to keep up my recording experience as much as I can, so getting the chance to go to a studio and experience my voice being recorded for Lidl customers to hear on the self-checkouts is a dream come true.
“I would like to thank everyone who chose to vote for me to be Lidl’s Scottish self-checkout voice, as well as Lidl themselves for giving me the opportunity. I hope I make Scotland proud!”
Marco Ivone, regional director of Lidl GB in Scotland added, “We are incredibly thankful for the amazing response to our campaign from communities across the country. From the thousands of entrants who brought forward a variety of voices and personalities, to the 20,000 who cast their votes to help select our winner, this has been a brilliant celebration of the diversity, creativity, and spirit of the people we proudly serve.
“With all Lidl stores in Scotland set to feature our new self-checkouts by November this year, it’s time for our winner, Alan, to shine as our ‘Unexpected Scottish Voice’. Whether you’re scanning your Lidl Plus or purchasing your latest Middle of Lidl find, hearing Alan’s accent during your self-checkout experience is sure to elevate it even further.”
From Wednesday 1st October, MacDonald’s voice will be guiding Lidl customers across Scotland through the self-checkout process, covering everything from selecting their bakery items and payment method, to a reminder to scan their Lidl Plus app so they get the best deals on their shopping.
Lidl has invested almost £3 million in installing self-checkouts in all Scottish stores by November 2025, in a move that will see the retailer offering both staffed and self-checkouts, ensuring that customers do not need to compromise on their preferred way to pay.
With self-checkouts already in use at several Scottish stores, dedicated team members will be on hand to assist as needed, easily identifiable by their yellow gilets.
