Returning Shopping Carts: Common Courtesy for Convenient, Clean Parking Lots

The Importance of Returning Shopping Carts

Returning shopping carts to designated areas in parking lots is a common courtesy that helps stores and communities in a variety of ways. However, many people still leave carts strewn around parking lots, which can lead to frustrated store workers and customers, property damage, and safety issues.

Why Returning Carts Matters

There are many benefits to properly returning shopping carts after loading purchases into your vehicle:

• It keeps parking lots safer and cleaner for other customers
• Prevents loose carts from damaging vehicles
• Saves store workers time from having to collect stray carts
• Allows carts to be neatly stacked and available for other shoppers to use
• Shows respect for the store and its employees

The Problems Caused by Abandoned Carts

On the other hand, leaving shopping carts scattered throughout parking lots can lead to a number of frustrating issues:

• Potential damage to other vehicles
• Tripping hazards for customers walking through lots
• Time wasted for staff gathering and returning carts
• Less cart availability and convenience for other shoppers
• Cluttered, messy parking lots

Stores spend a considerable amount of time and money dealing with problems caused by abandoned carts. One estimate put the annual cost at $800 million in lost carts plus countless hours spent by employees returning them to the store.

Shopping Cart Storage Areas

Most modern grocery stores and big box retailers have designated areas in their parking lots for collecting and storing shopping carts. These often consist of:

• Corals - Metal barriers arranged into enclosures for neatly lining up carts after use. These contain carts while making them easily accessible.
• Return ramps - Sloping lanes that allow shoppers to easily push their carts into organized corals from parking spaces.

Following any signage directing where carts should be returned after loading your vehicle can help tremendously in keeping a tidy parking area.

Tips for Being a Conscientious Shopper

We all occasionally encounter frustrating situations that test our patience. However, avoiding taking out frustrations on others demonstrates emotional maturity and self control.

Here are some tips for being a caring, conscientious community member and shopper:

Return Carts Promptly

As soon as finished loading purchases into your vehicle, neatly return the cart via the nearest coral or return ramp. Don't leave it stranded in a random parking spot.

Teach Children Responsibility

If shopping with small children, guide them in pushing the cart back to designated areas, teaching the value of being considerate to others.

Set a Good Example

By modeling desired behavior, other shoppers are more likely to emulate thoughtful cart returns than if disregarding courtesies.

Be Understanding of Employees

If asked by store workers to please return a cart, respond politely. Employees spend untold hours fetching stranded carts and want the same convenience for customers as you do.

Report Problems Proactively

If noticing another shopper abandoning a cart, politely point them to the nearest coral rather than reacting confrontationally. Or, notify a store employee of the situation.

The Golden Rule Applies to Parking Lots Too

Shoppers should treat parking lots the way they would want others to treat them - with care and concern for convenience and safety. While abandoning carts might seem trivial, it greatly contributes to unnecessary problems and headaches for stores and customers alike.

By returning carts promptly to designated areas, shoppers enable better experiences for all. Store employees stay focused on more important tasks than chasing stray carts. Other customers enjoy accessibility convenient cart access. And you benefit from cleaner lots without damaged vehicles.

So whether from environmental consciousness, making employees jobs simpler, or the universal ethic - do unto parking lots as you would have done unto yours.

FAQs

Why should I return my shopping cart?

Returning your shopping cart keeps parking lots clean and safe. It also saves employees time from having to collect abandoned carts all over the parking lot so they can focus on more important tasks.

Can't the employees whose job it is just collect the carts?

While collecting carts is part of many grocery/retail employees' responsibilities, scattered carts make their jobs much harder and more time consuming. By returning your cart to a designated area you help them tremendously.

What if the cart return area is far from my parking space?

Look around for a coral (cart enclosure area) located closer to where you parked. Retailers intentionally place multiple cart storage sites around lots for easier returns. Or, try parking closer to cart corals next time for convenient access.

I have kids with me and it's difficult to return the cart. What should I do?

Teach your kids civic responsibility by guiding them to push the cart back to coral areas after loading purchases. You'll model good behavior, keep your kids engaged, and free yourself to watch little ones safely.