The Great Shopping Cart Debate: It's interesting what excuses people invent for not returning shopping carts. Instead, they leave them in the parking lot, making it more difficult for...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It's interesting what excuses people invent for not returning shopping carts. Instead, they leave them in the parking lot, making it more difficult for shoppers to park. Not returning a cart so the store will employ people to go get them is like saying you take shots at random people as you drive your car, so medical personnel will stay employed.

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/anthropology-in-practice/follow-up-the-reasons-people-dont-return-their-shopping-carts/

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I think it according to where you live. When I was in Florida there were carts all over the parking lots that were just left where these people ended up. Now that I'm in Tennessee I rarely find a loose cart in any of the lots I go to. Most people here put them in the cart racks in the lots provided by the store.

Keldon Loc: Yukon, B.C.

The shopping carts at grocery stores in Canada require a dollar coin to unlock it before you can use it. When you're finished shopping and return your cart to the rack you get your dollar back. Quick, simple and no carts left in the parking lot or stolen.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Keldon wrote:

The shopping carts at grocery stores in Canada require a dollar coin to unlock it before you can use it. When you're finished shopping and return your cart to the rack you get your dollar back. Quick, simple and no carts left in the parking lot or stolen.

Aldi stores (supermarkets) require a quarter, and you never see carts in the parking lot.

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

jerryc41 wrote:

Aldi stores (supermarkets) require a quarter, and you never see carts in the parking lot.

Right, Jerry. And it's reflected in their low prices. They also, to save time and money, have bar codes on the their packages that are on all 4 side. Makes checkout faster. I've noticed their products often taste better than the name-brand products and at a much lower cost. It's not for everyone, but it's a great concept.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

TomC. wrote:

Right, Jerry. And it's reflected in their low prices. They also, to save time and money, have bar codes on the their packages that are on all 4 side. Makes checkout faster. I've noticed their products often taste better than the name-brand products and at a much lower cost. It's not for everyone, but it's a great concept.

Yes, they have excellent products, product names, and product packaging. And their cashiers are allowed to sit down at the register.

Phreedom Loc: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Keldon wrote:

The shopping carts at grocery stores in Canada require a dollar coin to unlock it before you can use it. When you're finished shopping and return your cart to the rack you get your dollar back. Quick, simple and no carts left in the parking lot or stolen.

Young kids, and a few adults, will offer to return your cart for you.

foodie65

Sounds like Aldi's has solved this problem.
Also, in the Cleveland area the Heinen's stores do not allow the carts to leave the store.
You drive up to a pick up point and someone loads your packages into your vehicle.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

foodie65 wrote:

Sounds like Aldi's has solved this problem.
Also, in the Cleveland area the Heinen's stores do not allow the carts to leave the store.
You drive up to a pick up point and someone loads your packages into your vehicle.

A local Hannaford has electronics that lock up a wheel if the cart travels too far. At least they don't leave the parking lot.

foodie65

jerryc41 wrote:

A local Hannaford has electronics that lock up a wheel if the cart travels too far. At least they don't leave the parking lot.

Haven't been to our local Hannaford lately; don't know if they operate the same way

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

foodie65 wrote:

Haven't been to our local Hannaford lately; don't know if they operate the same way

We have several within driving distance, and that's the only one that has that feature. It must be expensive to install that, and all the carts need that special wheel - or wheels.