There are different trolleys and baskets you might encounter when you go shopping at the supermarket. From the sturdy and reliable classic metal trolleys to the lighter plastic models that are easier to manoeuvre, each type serves a purpose.
There are different sizes, as well. Smaller trolleys are perfect for quick, light shops and fit snugly into self-service checkout spaces, saving you from the backache of bending over. Larger trolleys, on the other hand, are ideal for those big family shops where you’re stocking up for the week or perhaps preparing for a grandchild’s birthday party.
There is also another type of trolley with a clever feature that prevents it from being taken off the premises. However, this feature could soon be a thing of the past.
Consumer expert Adam Ferrier predicts that coin-operated trolleys may soon be a thing of the past, especially as carrying cash—let alone the right coin—becomes increasingly rare.
‘ALDI has always had coin-operated trolleys, however, they do now offer freely accessible baskets. But I usually just grab a free trolley from Coles or Woolies and use it at ALDI as well,’ says Jo Abi of 9Honey.
Now, let’s delve into the psychology behind trolley choice. According to Ferrier, ‘all consumer behaviour is made up of motivation and ease.’ The easier it is to load up a trolley, the more you’re likely to buy.
Supermarkets know this, which is why they offer a variety of trolley sizes to cater to different shopping habits.
There are smaller ones for city dwellers who tend to do smaller, more frequent shops, while larger trolleys or baskets are made available for those in suburban or rural areas who might do larger, less frequent hauls.
Meanwhile, there are also specialty trolleys, including the ones designed for baby capsules, twins, toddlers, or people with limited mobility.
If you’ve ever struggled to find the trolley that suits you best, don’t hesitate to ask the Customer Service Desk team for assistance. They’re there to help make your shopping experience as smooth as possible.
And for those of us who take pride in returning our trolleys to the proper bays, rest assured, you’re not alone in feeling virtuous. While it might be tempting to judge those who leave their trolleys astray, Ferrier reminds us that context often explains behaviour. Perhaps they were simply in a rush.
Nevertheless, taking that extra moment to return a trolley is a small act of courtesy that keeps the supermarket experience pleasant for everyone.
We’d love to hear from you, our YourLifeChoices readers. Do you have a preference for plastic or metal, coin-operated or free trolleys when you shop? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and let’s continue the conversation about the little things that make a big impact on our shopping habits.
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PET HATE: Seeing so many shopping trolleys left on footpaths sometimes kilometres away from the supermarket. These have been used by lazy people who take (used to be called stealing when I was a lad) THEIR trolley home with their groceries. Our regional Council seems to take no notice of this littering and leaves it to the supermarkets to retrieve their “stolen” trolleys.
Loved the idea in Alice where the trolley wheels locked if taken out of the carpark. Why not make it mandatory and “clean up Australia”.
It’s not so much a courtesy, it’s a money-saver for the consumer. One can buy a few 2-cent-sized tokens at any retailer that operates these trolleys for a few dollars, thereby abolishing the need for carrying correct spare change, so I don’t see why the change argument is valid.
Coin-operated trolleys came about so as to save the retailer thousands of dollars in lost carts (let alone potential fines for their trolleys being fished out of waterways, etc); this lost revenue was passed on to consumers. We can’t count on anyone to be courteous in this day and age, so I have absolutely no problem with the coin operated trolleys and hope the practice continues.