Supermarket Carts Become Common Fixtures in Israeli Apartment Buildings

A widespread and controversial phenomenon in apartment buildings across Israel involves the unofficial adoption of supermarket shopping carts for various uses, from carrying groceries to moving belongings. While the exact origins are unclear, these carts have become an informal part of building amenities, costing supermarket chains millions of shekels annually.

Social media videos humorously depict residents' evasive tactics when asked about the carts, with phrases like "If you saw a cart, you saw nothing." Some buildings even have unwritten rules for cart usage, emphasizing community responsibility over legality. The trend gained traction online, with creators highlighting the shared, albeit illicit, cart as a common building issue.

While initially thought to be an Israeli phenomenon, the practice appears to be global, with similar situations reported in the United States, particularly Los Angeles. However, some residents in Germany claim no knowledge of such a trend. In some upscale buildings, like in Beverly Hills, carts are officially provided by the building management for residents' convenience.

Interior designers and building committee members criticize the practice as theft and a safety hazard, noting that carts can block emergency exits. They advocate for solutions like automatic wheel-locking mechanisms, similar to those used in some European countries, to prevent carts from leaving supermarket premises.

Supermarket executives confirm the significant financial losses due to cart disappearances, estimating the cost of a single cart between 400 to 800 shekels, leading to millions in annual losses for chains like Rami Levy. While some stores have threatened legal action, finding effective solutions remains challenging, as technological deterrents have been circumvented. The core issue, they argue, is a lack of respect and responsibility, urging users to return carts to their designated locations.