Supermarket Carts Disappear, Retailers Face Millions in Losses

Supermarket shopping carts are increasingly being found in residential building lobbies, parking lots, and near elevators across Israel, a phenomenon that has become a costly and persistent problem for grocery chains. What some residents see as a convenient tool for transporting groceries and other items is viewed by retailers as theft. A viral parody video humorously depicted a building's shopping cart as an unofficial amenity, sparking widespread recognition of the issue. Residents often take carts from nearby stores, use them for transport, and sometimes leave them in their buildings for years, occasionally securing them to railings for personal use.

Interior designer Hadas Pilovsky Ron warns that beyond ownership concerns, the practice poses a safety hazard. Carts left in hallways, stairwells, or near exits can obstruct escape routes and impede emergency evacuations. Retailers are experiencing significant financial damage, with Itzik Cohen, Deputy CEO of Rami Levy Chain Stores, stating that people are essentially stealing the carts. The cost of a single cart ranges from 400 to 800 shekels, leading to annual losses in the millions for the chains.

Some chains are attempting to combat the problem with locking mechanisms, barriers, or technological solutions, but admit there is no complete fix. Requiring credit cards or implementing wheel locks has not consistently prevented carts from being removed from stores. A simpler alternative suggested is for buildings to purchase their own designated carts from business supply vendors, costing a few hundred shekels, which would serve residents' needs without harming retailers. Ultimately, while the phenomenon might seem amusing and uniquely Israeli, its consequences are real: stores lose equipment, subsequent shoppers are inconvenienced, and buildings can face unnecessary safety risks.