The City of Brampton won’t force stores to put locking devices on shopping carts.

A measure that was on the table at a committee meeting this week was to require retailers to install locking devices on their carts so they cannot be pushed beyond property limits.

Grocery stores would have been most affected.

However, councillors have accepted a recommendation from their community services staff not to proceed with the concept.

The issue was raised because of ongoing problems of carts being taken away from stores by customers and then left abandoned on city streets parks, and other locations.

The city recovers about 400 carts per year and has already implemented a system of fines that will see the stores charged $100 for every wayward cart that has to be retrieved.

According to a report, the locking technology prevents the carts from being wheeled away from a defined area, usually the parking lot in front of the store. The locking devices are used by some stores.

But the report indicated the locking system is most effective when a retailer controls the entire site and parking area. In many cases, a site is shared or controlled by a property owner, which would limit a store’s ability to install a perimeter-based containment system.

As well, the report pointed out, the mandatory locking technology would impose capital and maintenance costs on retailers who are already effectively managing carts and not contributing to the issue of abandoned carts on city property. Further, the report said a uniform city-wide locking requirement would create a disproportionate impact for businesses that have already implemented effective cart management practices.

Meanwhile, the city will continue to monitor the situation and will target communication for retailers whose carts are retrieved from city property. This will outline the impact of abandoned shopping carts on public safety and identify practical measures retailers may implement to improve cart management and prevent carts from leaving their premises.

 

 


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