Supermarket Chain 'Osher Ad' Uses Wheel-Locking Carts to Combat Theft

Israeli supermarket chain Osher Ad has implemented a new anti-theft measure that involves carts with wheels that automatically lock when they leave designated parking areas, sparking customer complaints. A viral TikTok video showcased a shopper in Netanya whose cart became immobilized near the store, preventing her from reaching her car. The system is designed to prevent the theft of shopping carts and discourage customers from abandoning them away from the store premises.

According to Ynet, the issue arises when customers cannot find parking within the store's lot and are forced to park further away. Osher Ad stated that customers are permitted to briefly enter the parking area to retrieve their groceries from the cart in such instances, a practice they claim also eases traffic congestion on access roads. This system has been operational for about a year in 13 Osher Ad branches, with boundaries determined in coordination with local authorities, typically extending a few hundred meters.

This technology is not new to Israel, having been introduced about a decade ago in a previous iteration and gaining wider adoption recently. Osher Ad also continues to use the traditional coin-operated locking mechanism, where a 5 shekel deposit is returned upon cart return. The company indicated that the older system was insufficient in preventing cart loss and abandonment, which leads to shortages and negatively impacts customer service, as well as incurring fines for abandoned carts.

Similar cart-locking systems have been in use in the US and Europe for about ten years at retailers like Walmart, Target, Aldi, and Costco. International experts estimate the cost of a shopping cart to be between $100 and $200, with hundreds of lost or stolen carts annually resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in losses per branch.

The locking mechanism, supplied by companies like Gatekeeper, utilizes smart, autonomous technology. An underground cable or antenna transmits a low-frequency radio signal, defining the permitted zone. A special wheel on the cart, equipped with an RF receiver, battery, and locking device, detects this signal when the cart crosses the boundary. This triggers a spring that engages a mechanical stopper, immobilizing the wheel. Once the cart is returned to the authorized area, the wheel automatically unlocks. Earlier versions required manual unlocking by store staff, which was inconvenient for both customers and employees.