SHOPPERS have started to notice a massive grocery cart change in stores that could make buggies harder to come by.
American customers may not realize the updated guidelines are the norm in other countries.
Shoppers have started to notice a massive grocery cart change in stores that could make it harder to get buggies[/caption]
Retailers across the world ask for a coin if a shopper wants a grocery cart[/caption]
Worldwide grocery cart rules became a topic of internet conversation after an American TikToker shared her experience shopping in London, England.
The influencer, Natalie Barbu, visited local store chain Sainsbury’s and discovered she needed to deposit a £1 coin to unlock a buggy.
“One thing I couldn’t comprehend is the fact that you had to bring a coin in order to get a shopping cart,” she said in the clip.
However, users were quick to point out that this isn’t a new concept, as some stores in America are implementing the same policy.
Germany-based chain Aldi forces shoppers to place a quarter into a cart to unlock it for use.
When you’re done shopping, you can return the cart to the corral and get your quarter back.
For Aldi, this temporary 25-cent deposit ultimately saves customers money because they do not have to hire extra staff to collect grocery carts.
Users responding to the TikTok also said they view the rule as a “courtesy” policy, as workers don’t have to chase down buggies recklessly abandoned throughout parking lots.
“[It persuades] people to bring them back instead of paying a member of staff to,” the user commented.
SHOPPING CART PROBLEM
The issue of shopping cart misuse is a growing concern in the US.
Around 2 million shopping carts are stolen annually, costing retailers up to $175 million in replacement and repair costs.
Abandoned carts clutter parking lots, block sidewalks, and cost stores millions in labor and replacements each year.
Some cities, like Eureka, California, even have fines requiring retailers to pay up to $50 per cart if they are found abandoned off store property.
Major chains like Walmart, Target, and Kroger face similar fines in multiple counties when carts are left unchecked.
In some US states, shoppers themselves can even be fined up to $2,500 for taking a cart off store property without permission.
Social media is full of clips showing frustrated shoppers dealing with abandoned or stuck carts, and many have joked about the struggles of different store systems.
Punishment For Shopping Cart Theft
For Individuals
- Misdemeanor Charges: Theft is a crime that can lead to fines or jail time.
- Community Service: Judges can order community service.
For Retailers
- Stray Cart Fees: You can incur fees for stray carts.
- Retrieval Timeframe: Retailers must pick up carts within a certain period after being notified to avoid fines.
- Costs for impoundment: The city might need to store the cart, and the business has to pay for that.
- Containment Plans: Some cities require stores to have a shopping cart plan, and fines can be imposed for not following it.
SOLUTIONS
Some stores are turning to wheel locking systems, coin deposits, or even tech-enabled smart carts to curb the problem.
Wegmans’ tech-enabled smart cart is called Caper Carts. They allow shoppers to track their spending in real time as the carts automatically recognize items placed inside.
Customers can also bag items while they shop and pay directly from the cart, streamlining the checkout process.
Lawmakers in several states are also cracking down with new rules targeting both retailers and individuals who fail to comply with cart regulations.
Critics argue that some of these laws unfairly punish retailers rather than the individuals actually abandoning carts.
However, the new rules aim to get businesses to manage their fleets better and reduce cleanup burdens on cities.
Some require companies to retrieve carts or show how they’ll prevent carts from leaving their property.
