![\"Kidderminster,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_151320522-53bb.jpg\")
\n\t\tSupermarket trolleys can be surprisingly divisive (Picture: Shutterstock\/D K Grove)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tSupermarket trolleys can be surprisingly divisive (Picture: Shutterstock\/D K Grove)<\/p>\n
You may notice something different on your next big shop<\/a>, as two UK supermarkets<\/a> consider introducing a distinctly American new feature.<\/p>\n US-style plastic trolleys are now being trialled<\/a> in Tesco\u2019s Sheffield Infirmary Superstore and Waitrose\u2019s Brent Cross branch, in an effort to gather feedback from customers<\/a>.<\/p>\n These new designs are said to be lighter and easier to steer, without the clattering noise traditional carts can make as they\u2019re wheeled through the aisles<\/a>.<\/p>\n Additionally, they could prove less attractive to thieves, who typically steal the metal models in order to sell on for scrap.<\/p>\n Hannah Lewis, managing director of trolley supplier Formbar, believes shops and customers alike will prefer them.<\/p>\n \u2018Trolleys are important, they are the first thing you see as you go into a supermarket,\u2019 she tells The Sun<\/a>. \u2018The plastic ones are more cost-effective to maintain, as well as being fully recyclable. We\u2019ll be seeing them much more in the future.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t But not all shoppers are convinced.<\/p>\n A Reddit post about the new trolleys \u2013 similar to those used by US chains like Target \u2013 sparked disapproving replies, with @NoFaithlessness4987 branding them a \u2018waste of money\u2019 and another user predicting they\u2019d \u2018end up grubby and stinking very quickly\u2019.<\/p>\n \u2018They ain\u2019t gonna last a week,\u2019 commented @ManufacturerNo4079, while @justhonest1986 added: \u2018They look awful.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018At least these won\u2019t rust when they end up in the local river, canal, or duck pond,\u2019 wrote @Big_Dave990, to which @humblesunbro jokingly responded: \u2018Nope they\u2019ll float merrily on by instead.\u2019<\/p>\n Some felt the move was a positive one though, including @ImissTBBT who said: \u2018I don\u2019t see what\u2019s wrong. Plastic baskets on shopping trolleys have been a thing in the US and many other countries for decades. They work just fine. Overall unit weight and price is reduced.\u2019<\/p>\n Another, @Childhood-Crazy, praised the \u2018modern\u2019 design, while @DeezWuts noted that the potential cost savings when it comes to replacing them, adding: \u2018Probably a decent overall savings in stores that are constantly having the metal ones robbed.\u2019<\/p>\n Although Tesco declined to comment on its use of plastic trolleys going forward, a Waitrose spokesperson told Metro: \u2018This is a localised trial involving one shop but we have no plans to roll-out wider.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t According to Wanzl<\/a>, trolley theft and abandonment costs British businesses \u00a335m every year (more than \u00a395,000 a day), with each stolen cart coming in at \u00a3100 to replace<\/a>. However, Spanish supermarket Mercadona reduced its replacement needs by 80% after switching to plastic hybrid models, improving the company\u2019s bottom line and its environmental impact.<\/p>\n Still, customers can be particular about supermarket trolleys, as Tesco found out last year. When the supermarket moved self-scanner holders <\/a>from the left to the right-hand side of its cart handles, shoppers took to social media begging for the change to be reversed.<\/p>\n Following some surprisingly strong reactions \u2013 including one person claiming they were driven \u2018nuts\u2019 having to reach over and put the machine back in its slot \u2013 a spokesperson for Tesco told\u00a0Metro: \u2018Our new trolleys are designed to be practical for all customers. We value feedback and will pass this on to the relevant teams.\u2019<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"Doing](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_258879510-1c1a-e1752575047992.jpg\")
\n\t\tTesco is trialling the hybrid plastic models at a branch in Sheffield (Picture: Reddit)<\/p>\n![\"Doing](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_258879448-05d7-e1752574582142.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe carts are popular in the US, but are relatively new to the UK (Picture: Formbar)<\/p>\n![\"Doing](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_258879411-3f83-e1752574628735.jpg\")
\n\t\tPlastic trolleys are lighter and less likely to be stolen for scrap than metal ones (Picture: Formbar)<\/p>\n
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