In a major shift that could enhance the shopping experience for thousands of customers, Tesco is piloting a new American-style shopping trolley in its Sheffield Infirmary Superstore. This innovative design features a lightweight plastic basket paired with a metal chassis, aiming to make grocery shopping easier and more enjoyable.
A Shift to Lightweight Design
The trial of this new plastic trolley model showcases several advantages over traditional shopping carts. Described as significantly lighter, more maneuverable, and quieter than their metal counterparts, these trolleys aim to transform the way shoppers experience their weekly grocery trips. Shoppers are expected to find navigating aisles a breeze with the new design, which is said to reduce noise commonly associated with shopping carts.
Popularity in the U.S. and Across the Pond
Plastic trolleys are already commonplace in large American retail chains, such as Target, known for its iconic red carts. British competitor Waitrose is also experimenting with similar designs, testing their version at a store in Brent Cross, north London. While some UK customers have enjoyed the lightweight, modernized shopping experience, the question remains whether Tesco will expand this trial nationwide.
Insights from Industry Experts
Hannah Lewis, managing director of Formbar, a key supplier of shopping trolleys, expressed optimism about the new trolley model. “Trolleys are important—they are the first thing you see as you go into a supermarket,” she noted. Lewis emphasized the cost-effectiveness and recyclability of plastic trolleys. She believes that these carts will gain popularity because of their ease of maneuvering and noise reduction. Furthermore, she suggested that the plastic designs could potentially deter thieves, who often steal metal trolleys for scrap.
Mixed Reactions from Shoppers
Customer feedback on the new trolley designs has been varied, with discussions erupting on platforms like Reddit. Some users enthusiastically welcomed the changes, with one commenting dryly that these trolleys would at least not rust if discarded in local waterways. Others expressed skepticism, suggesting the plastic trolleys could float away instead of sinking, while questions about their longevity were raised: “Are they trying to make trolleys look fuller as prices rise?” one shopper asked, indicating a concern over rising grocery costs.
While some patrons expressed optimism over the designs being cheaper to replace than metal trolleys, others deemed them impractical with comments like, “They ain’t gonna last a week,” and, “What a waste of money.” This reflects a broader uncertainty among consumers, many of whom noted that the new models appeared smaller than traditional carts.
Recent Changes at Tesco
The new trolley trial follows another recent change introduced by Tesco—Scan As You Shop checkouts—which has also garnered mixed reviews. Some shoppers have described these pay points as feeling “creepy” or “dystopian,” likening them to airport security measures.
The Scan As You Shop system allows customers to pick up a scanning device upon entering the store, enabling them to scan their items as they add them to their trolleys or baskets. Once finished, customers can pay without having to scan items again at checkout, although shoppers may be subject to random ‘service checks’ to ensure the accuracy of their purchases.
Descriptions of the Scan As You Shop checkouts have led some to liken them more to security gates than shopping counters, with users remarking on how the setup resembles border control areas. One user quipped, “Am I at border control or Tesco?” while another noted, “Come for the shopping, stay for the full body scan! Wtf.”
As discussions continue regarding the implementation of these new trolley models and checkout systems, both Tesco and Waitrose have not provided comments regarding the reception of these innovative shopping solutions.
