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.

Online videos and social media discussions highlight the humorous and evasive ways residents deal with these carts. New residents often question their presence, only to be met with denial or jokes about the carts being part of the building's infrastructure. Some buildings even have unwritten rules about their use, emphasizing community responsibility over legalities.

Omer Bar Lev Shiloh, a content creator, gained significant traction with a satirical video about the shared building cart, inspired by his own building in Hod Hasharon. His video resonated widely, revealing the practice is not unique to Israel, though its implementation varies. While some international buildings might purchase carts officially, others, particularly in older or smaller apartment complexes, simply 'borrow' them from nearby stores.

Interior designer Hadas Pilovsky Ron criticizes the practice as theft and a safety hazard, noting that carts left in common areas can block escape routes during emergencies. She advocates for solutions like automatic wheel-locking mechanisms, used in other countries, to prevent carts from leaving supermarket premises.

Supermarket executives confirm the significant financial losses due to disappearing carts, with individual cart costs ranging from 400 to 800 shekels. Rami Levy, CEO of Rami Levy supermarket chain, stated that these losses amount to millions annually for all chains. While some stores have threatened legal action, finding effective solutions remains challenging, as technological deterrents have proven easily circumvented. The core issue, according to Levy, is a lack of respect and responsibility, urging users to simply return carts after use.