You can’t overlook the importance of shopping trolleys in your retail store today. These store fixtures are designed to enhance the customer shopping experience. Besides, they also encourage larger purchases, which is a win for your store.
However, you need to know that not all trolleys are created similarly. Without due diligence, you may end up with the wrong equipment and this could cause different issues, including:
- Reduced customer convenience
- Lower sales
- Poor maneuverability
- Negative customer experience
- Incompatibility with store layout
You certainly don’t want to experience these retail store issues. This explains why you must follow the following best practices when buying your shopping trolleys.
1. Choose the right trolley capacity
Today, shopping trolleys are available in different sizes. At Valentino’s Displays, below are the capacities you can find:
- 25L Shopping Trolley
- 50L Supermarket Trolley
- 60L Supermarket Trolley
- 80L Mini Supermarket Trolley
- 80L Shopping Trolley
- 100L Supermarket Trolley
- 120L Supermarket Trolley
- 140L Supermarket Trolley
- 180L Supermarket Trolley
- 240L Supermarket Trolley
Now, here’s a burning question—which trolley size should you opt for? Well, the answer to this question depends, to a large extent, on your store size. If you own a smaller retail store, we strongly recommend getting compact trolleys—between 25L to 80L. For a larger store, go for bigger trolleys—between 100 L and 240 240L.
2. Store layout
Your store layout can significantly influence your choice of the right trolleys. The general rule is to choose products that match the flow and scale of the store.
- It’s simple: if your store aisles are narrow, never choose wide trolleys. Doing this could cause bottlenecks. This will eventually cause a negative customer experience.
- For tight corners, the right trolleys should be easy to manoeuvre. A good example is to choose products with four swivel castors.
3. Durability
If you prioritise durability and long-term use, then you need to pay attention to the trolley’s materials. The two most popular materials we recommend are:
- Metal (zinc-plated steel)
- Plastic
Metallic trolley materials are strong & long-lasting. They are perfect for high-traffic retail stores. You should also consider them if your business handles heavy-duty products. If outdoor uses are important, ensure the materials come with corrosion-resistant finishes.
Plastic trolley materials are favoured due to their lightweight & rust-resistant properties. You should consider them if you want a budget-friendly solution. They are also perfect for light to moderate-sized products.
4. Wheel type
Does wheel type matter when choosing your shopping trolleys? The simple answer—yes. You need to prioritise them because poor-quality wheels often lead to the following issues:
- Difficult maneuverability
- Frequent breakdowns
- Customer frustration
- Increased noise
- Safety hazards
To prevent a poor customer experience, we recommend choosing trolleys with excellent wheels. For easy turning, choose 360-degree swivel castors. For smooth, quiet movement, choose rubber wheels. Wheel guards are also recommended—they prevent the buildup of debris outdoors.
5. Type of customers
Today, different types of customers visit retail stores—adults, children, and even toddlers. As a retailer, it makes sense to cater to these diverse audiences.
To do this, we recommend:
- Get trolleys with child safety seats. This will certainly appeal to parents who shop with toddlers.
- Disabled shopping trolleys are recommended. This makes it easier for elderly or disabled customers to shop conveniently in your store.
6. Your brand image
You shouldn’t only choose trolleys for functional purposes alone. In addition, the store equipment should be a reflection of your brand. Here’s where the need to go for custom shopping trolleys comes in.
With Valentino’s Displays, you can always customise the trolleys with your branding elements—colours, logo, and signage. This will certainly reinforce your store’s visibility & identity.
7. Your budget
Your budget is as important as every other factor mentioned so far. For the best results, we recommend choosing products that strike a balance between your budget and long-lasting use. In addition, we recommend that you factor in the following things:
- Warranty policies
- Discounts on bulk orders
- Shipping cost waivers
What really matters is to choose store fixtures that meet long-term use. It’s better to spend slightly more upfront than to face repair & replacement issues within a short period.
Visit the official Valentino’s Displays website today to find high-quality shopping trolleys that fit your store & budget.