Auchan Yes Continues Using Shopping Cart Wheel Locks to Prevent Theft

Auchan Yes has been operating a system for over a year that prevents shopping carts from leaving a designated area around its branches. This system is active in 13 of the chain's stores, with the boundaries of the permitted zone determined in cooperation with local authorities. Customers who park their cars beyond these defined limits may find their carts locking up unexpectedly.

The issue recently gained traction on social media after a customer posted a video on TikTok showing her attempting to move a loaded cart to her car. The cart abruptly stopped, preventing further movement. The incident reportedly occurred at the Netanya branch, after the customer parked outside the designated cart zone.

The technology works via a component installed in the cart's wheel, which communicates with infrastructure set up in the parking area. When a cart crosses the boundary, a mechanism locks the wheel, halting its movement. Returning the cart within the designated zone automatically releases the lock.

This technology is partly a response to the widespread problem of shopping cart theft and disappearance, with thousands of carts vanishing annually from supermarket chains. Each cart costs between 500 and 700 shekels, and chains can also face fines for abandoned carts.

Auchan Yes is not alone in using this technology; other supermarket chains in Israel also employ it. According to the Israeli representative for GATEKEEPER, the system is installed in over 100 stores, including Shufersal, Yohananof, Mahsanei HaShuk, and Half Free.

In addition to the wheel locks, Auchan Yes continues to use the coin-lock mechanism, requiring a 5 shekel coin to release a cart. The system's representative also noted the existence of technology that can identify attempts to remove carts with unpaid items from the store.