Tesco is testing out the new trolley, which consists of metal legs and a plastic basket, in one store, while Waitrose is also introducing a new shopping device
Two UK supermarkets have introduced US-style plastic shopping trolleys in stores. Tesco is testing out the new trolley, which consists of metal legs and a plastic basket, in its Sheffield Infirmary store.
Meanwhile, posh rival Waitrose has introduced fully plastic trolleys in its Brent Cross store in London. Hannah Lewis, managing director of trolley supplier Formbar, told The Sun that she believes they will be popular with shoppers.
She said: “Trolleys are important, they are the first thing you see as you go into a supermarket. The plastic ones are more cost-effective to maintain, as well as being fully recyclable.
“We’ll be seeing them much more in the future which I think people will like as they are easier to push around than the steel ones, and they are quieter too with no metal rattling sounds.”
However, not all shoppers were convinced. Writing in a Reddit thread, one person said: “Cheaper. Less chance it gets nicked and scrapped.” Another person said: “They ain’t gonna last a week.”
But another shopper commented: “I don’t see what’s wrong. Plastic baskets on shopping trolleys have been a think in the US and many other countries for decades. They work just fine. Overall unit weight and price is reduced.”
Tesco has not revealed whether it will introduce the plastic trolleys to more stores, but a Waitrose spokesperson said: “This is a localised trial involving one shop but we have no plans to roll-out wider.”
It comes after Tesco confirmed it has made a major change to its delivery and click and collect slots this summer. All customers can now access eight weeks’ worth of home delivery and click and collect slots across the UK, instead of the usual four weeks.
On top of this, the supermarket has added 15,000 additional click and collect slots. Tesco has also removed the same-day charge from selected stores. According to the Tesco website, standard delivery charges range from £3 and £7 depending on location, while click and collect costs from free to £2, again depending on location.
Tesco charges £7.99 a month for a six-month anytime delivery pass, which includes same-day delivery, or £6.99 a month if you sign up for 12 months.
An off-peak pass – which is for deliveries after 3pm – costs £4.99 for six months, or £6.99 for 12 months. For click and collect, a six-month package is charged at £2.49 a month.
Tesco also recently launched its F&F clothing range online. Shoppers used to be able to purchase Tesco clothing through its non-food Tesco Direct website – but this closed down in 2018.
The collection was also once available to buy online through Next, until the retailer stopped selling F&F in January 2024.