The truth is out! Surprising claim reveals what Australian supermarkets have been lying about

Australia is known for being a fortunate country in many respects. However, it appears that there is a misconception challenging our nation's reputation for unwavering positivity.

This misconception pertains to the simple task of returning shopping trolleys at our local supermarkets, which is a common responsibility shared by many.



A staggering 75 per cent of Aussies claim they always return their shopping trolleys.

This claim has raised eyebrows among individuals waiting in supermarket lines and navigating crowded car parks.


compressed-trolley.jpeg
The failure of people to return shopping trolleys back to their designated bays can create inconvenience and hazards in parking lots and shopping areas. Image by 652234 from pixabay



The reality, however, doesn't align with this claim, as one journalist recently sought to prove.

Mary Madigan of News.com.au looked deeper into the matter, conducting a thorough investigation and adding a touch of detective work to the shopping agenda.

The results of her investigation revealed a surprising revelation. Through an enlightening survey combined with a stakeout at a supermarket, discrepancies were spotted more rapidly than markdowns at a clearance sale.

The investigation took place at Sydney's Woolworths in Alexandria during the early hour of 8 am, where only a few dedicated shoppers were present.



Among the morning tranquillity, two lonely trolleys were spotted, abandoned and not returned to their designated bays. But the culprits were nowhere to be found, which prompted Mary to head elsewhere.

Moving on to Marrickville Metro, one of Sydney's busiest grocery spots, she observed that out of five people observed, only three returned their trolleys to the correct bays, while others seemed unconcerned.


compressed-trolleyyy.jpeg
Abandoned trolleys not only clutter the space but also pose a risk of damage to vehicles and can impede pedestrian pathways, highlighting the importance of responsible trolley usage and proper return practices. Image by alexandru_tugui from unsplash



‘One rogue shopper just pretended there was a bay nearby and tucked it discreetly by a concrete slab wall,’ she said. ‘Another just gave up on the whole thing and moved it away so their car wouldn’t run into it when they made their swift exit.’

‘I can’t say this for sure, but it didn’t even look like either of them were considering returning the shopping trolley to its rightful bay.’



This highlighted a noticeable discrepancy. Among the observed sample, only a few individuals returned their trolleys, contradicting the original claim of 75 per cent.

Now before anyone gets on her case about how sound her experiment was, Mary had a caveat: ‘Look, clearly I haven’t done enough research to make some big giant claim,’ she said. ‘But I do think my time loitering around a grocery store did reveal that people are telling trolley fibs, and it needs to be brought to light.’

This raises the question: Why the deception? Surprisingly, even picking up groceries can become a stage for compelling human drama—the fear of being judged.

Clinical psychologist, Dr Aileen Alegado, aptly explains, ‘When there is lying, no matter how big or small the lie may be, it usually comes back down to our own ability to feel shame, guilt, or the fear of being judged.’



Now that may sound serious, but rest easy fellow shoppers! Dr Alegado reassures us that just because you’ve been a ‘naughty trolley non-returner' doesn't make you a ‘bad person’.
Key Takeaways
  • A News.com.ausurvey revealed that 75 per cent of Aussies claimed they always return their shopping trolleys.
  • A journalist’s personal investigation at local supermarkets found numerous discarded trolleys, contradicting the claim from the survey.
  • Psychologist Dr Aileen Alegado explains that people lie about trivial things due to the fear of judgement and feeling shame and guilt.
  • Dr Alegado reassures that not returning shopping trolleys doesn't mean one is inherently a bad person.
So, now that we've shed some light on this amusing supermarket behaviour, here's a light-hearted guide on 'Trolley Etiquette' to remember:
  1. Return the trolley to its designated bay.
  2. If it's broken, let the staff know.
  3. Avoid blocking foot traffic or car parks with unattended trolleys.
  4. Remember, a trolley is not a toddler's toy.
  5. Lastly, do not take them home!
Members, what has been your experience? Do you consistently return your trolley to its designated bay, or do you sometimes find yourself joining the ranks of the trolley abandoners? Share your honest thoughts and experiences on this matter.
 
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One of my brothers in law never returns his trolley. He believes he’s keeping the trolley collector in a job.
I have noticed in Sydney where you don’t put coins in for a trolley that there were trollies left everywhere. In Victoria where I live we have to put coins in, hardly any trollies left around. So there’s your answer!!
 
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Well in our Woolworths store I never see trollies any where but in the bays having said that our car park is on a slant if you left a trolly any where but in a bay it would roll away hitting cars and shoppers
So does our Woolworths, carpark built on a slant, you push up loaded and return empty! But we have a posh covered carpark now, so the race will be on in the summer to grab the shady spaces.
 
Australia is known for being a fortunate country in many respects. However, it appears that there is a misconception challenging our nation's reputation for unwavering positivity.

This misconception pertains to the simple task of returning shopping trolleys at our local supermarkets, which is a common responsibility shared by many.



A staggering 75 per cent of Aussies claim they always return their shopping trolleys.

This claim has raised eyebrows among individuals waiting in supermarket lines and navigating crowded car parks.


View attachment 25669
The failure of people to return shopping trolleys back to their designated bays can create inconvenience and hazards in parking lots and shopping areas. Image by 652234 from pixabay



The reality, however, doesn't align with this claim, as one journalist recently sought to prove.

Mary Madigan of News.com.au looked deeper into the matter, conducting a thorough investigation and adding a touch of detective work to the shopping agenda.

The results of her investigation revealed a surprising revelation. Through an enlightening survey combined with a stakeout at a supermarket, discrepancies were spotted more rapidly than markdowns at a clearance sale.

The investigation took place at Sydney's Woolworths in Alexandria during the early hour of 8 am, where only a few dedicated shoppers were present.



Among the morning tranquillity, two lonely trolleys were spotted, abandoned and not returned to their designated bays. But the culprits were nowhere to be found, which prompted Mary to head elsewhere.

Moving on to Marrickville Metro, one of Sydney's busiest grocery spots, she observed that out of five people observed, only three returned their trolleys to the correct bays, while others seemed unconcerned.


View attachment 25670
Abandoned trolleys not only clutter the space but also pose a risk of damage to vehicles and can impede pedestrian pathways, highlighting the importance of responsible trolley usage and proper return practices. Image by alexandru_tugui from unsplash



‘One rogue shopper just pretended there was a bay nearby and tucked it discreetly by a concrete slab wall,’ she said. ‘Another just gave up on the whole thing and moved it away so their car wouldn’t run into it when they made their swift exit.’

‘I can’t say this for sure, but it didn’t even look like either of them were considering returning the shopping trolley to its rightful bay.’



This highlighted a noticeable discrepancy. Among the observed sample, only a few individuals returned their trolleys, contradicting the original claim of 75 per cent.

Now before anyone gets on her case about how sound her experiment was, Mary had a caveat: ‘Look, clearly I haven’t done enough research to make some big giant claim,’ she said. ‘But I do think my time loitering around a grocery store did reveal that people are telling trolley fibs, and it needs to be brought to light.’

This raises the question: Why the deception? Surprisingly, even picking up groceries can become a stage for compelling human drama—the fear of being judged.

Clinical psychologist, Dr Aileen Alegado, aptly explains, ‘When there is lying, no matter how big or small the lie may be, it usually comes back down to our own ability to feel shame, guilt, or the fear of being judged.’



Now that may sound serious, but rest easy fellow shoppers! Dr Alegado reassures us that just because you’ve been a ‘naughty trolley non-returner' doesn't make you a ‘bad person’.
Key Takeaways

  • A News.com.ausurvey revealed that 75 per cent of Aussies claimed they always return their shopping trolleys.
  • A journalist’s personal investigation at local supermarkets found numerous discarded trolleys, contradicting the claim from the survey.
  • Psychologist Dr Aileen Alegado explains that people lie about trivial things due to the fear of judgement and feeling shame and guilt.
  • Dr Alegado reassures that not returning shopping trolleys doesn't mean one is inherently a bad person.
So, now that we've shed some light on this amusing supermarket behaviour, here's a light-hearted guide on 'Trolley Etiquette' to remember:
  1. Return the trolley to its designated bay.
  2. If it's broken, let the staff know.
  3. Avoid blocking foot traffic or car parks with unattended trolleys.
  4. Remember, a trolley is not a toddler's toy.
  5. Lastly, do not take them home!
Members, what has been your experience? Do you consistently return your trolley to its designated bay, or do you sometimes find yourself joining the ranks of the trolley abandoners? Share your honest thoughts and experiences on this matter.
Where i live all that goes out the window - it seems 75% ditch their trolley's wherever or whenever their done with them. They're left everywhere! empty car parks, outside the shopping centre, in front of people homes, along the roadside far from the shops, upside down on street signs - everywhere. trolley return bays seem to be for everyone else.
So i don't know where whoever said those figures for the story got them from.
 
if more trolley bays were provided likely they would be returned. Who wants to walk through up to 3 double rows before finding a bay- not me, especially when you can't actually get between the cars without knocking mirrors. What bays there are don't have enough to cater to each retailer. eg. 3 bays to cater for Coles small ones, for Coles large ones, Aldi, Woolies small, Woolies large, Kmart and Big W. and as they aren't the same size can't fill the bays with a mix- but people do. And they often spill into the road part. They believe everyone shopping will be parked in the first 2 rows directly in front of the centre's entrance. For the whole of my massive shopping centre, only 2 senior parks left for Woolies/Aldi end and a few directly opposite entrance to eatery. Nowhere else and I've found myself parked rows and rows away from trolley bays- in those incidences due to health I don't going walking to get to one- it's too much. I do try to park close-ish and I will and do return them. But just put me in.
 
All the supermarkets in my suburb and surrounding suburbs need either a coin or store token to unlock a trolling for use and return to trolley bay to retrieve coin or token so yes, I return always. The upside of this coin/token idea is that you very rarely see trollies left lying around car parks or the streets anymore.
Surely it would be,in the long term, for supermarkets to install coin/token trolley locks on their trolleys, than having to pay collectors/special vehicles with trailers ???????
 
I'm a stickler for returning the trolley, it used to annoy my husband and then he retired. Now I cannot stop stop him, we pull up at our local shopping centre and he collects every stray trolley in the carpark and returns them to the bay inside the store. I keep telling Woolies I will leave him there and he can get paid to do something if they want.
 

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