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Trolley chaos divides shoppers as invisible tech barrier traps carts between rival stores

Food and Lifestyle

Trolley chaos divides shoppers as invisible tech barrier traps carts between rival stores

1759970169421.png Trolley chaos divides shoppers as invisible tech barrier traps carts between rival stores
Invisible signals were used to stop trolleys from crossing between neighbouring stores. Credit: Reddit

If you told a time traveller from 50 years ago that in 2025, we'd have shopping trolleys that refuse to cross the street, they'd probably think we'd gone completely mad. Yet here we are, with two supermarkets in Dickson accidentally creating their own version of the Berlin Wall—except it's made of invisible signals and stubborn wheels.



The tale of two shopping centres



Coles and Woolworths in Dickson are housed in adjacent shopping centres, so close you could practically toss a tin of beans from one to the other.



But try wheeling your trolley between them, and you'll discover that these innocent-looking shopping carts have been equipped with technology that would make a spy blush.



The drama began when eagle-eyed Canberra shoppers spotted a rather apologetic yellow notice on Woolworths trolleys.



'Due to the recent upgrade of our trolleys, they will lock when taken near the Coles Centre,' it read, as if the trolleys had suddenly developed a case of social anxiety around their competitors.




'God forbid they just got identical trolleys and shared them'

Reddit user response to the Dickson trolley situation



What's particularly maddening for shoppers is the timing. Coles is set to open their new supermarket at Dickson later this year, representing a multimillion-dollar investment, but their trolley containment system has been causing headaches since 2023.









The invisible fence technology explained



These aren't your grandmother's shopping trolleys with a simple coin slot. Today's retail carts are equipped with sophisticated containment systems that would make a maximum-security prison jealous.



The devices use geofencing, a location-based service that triggers an action when the device leaves a defined geographical area, with location determined via GPS, WiFi, or wireless technology.



Some systems use permanent magnets set into the ground that activate special castors mounted diagonally on the trolley.









When a trolley crosses the invisible boundary, the castors lock at a 30-degree angle, forcing the trolley to move only in circles, effectively preventing removal from the premises. It's like watching a shopping cart have a mechanical nervous breakdown.




How trolley lock systems work


Modern trolley containment uses multiple technologies:


Magnetic systems: Permanent magnets buried in the ground activate locking mechanisms


GPS geofencing: Satellite positioning creates invisible boundaries


WiFi-based: Uses store wireless networks to define containment areas


Hybrid systems: Combine multiple technologies for better accuracy




The real cost of the trolley arms race



These costs are passed directly back to shoppers in higher prices, meaning we're all paying for this technological tug-of-war. But the financial impact is just the beginning.



Supermarkets send vehicles to drive around streets trying to find abandoned trolleys, wasting valuable time and money while generating unnecessary CO2 emissions, with thousands of hours spent weekly on trolley collectors driving diesel-burning vehicles.









The human cost is equally frustrating. Community feedback reveals particular concern for vulnerable shoppers. One frustrated customer noted: 'More reason to buy groceries online.



Coles and Woolies just making their stores fresher and fresher hellscape every passing moment, especially for people with disabilities or illnesses'.




What the trolley wars mean for you



  • Higher shopping costs as retailers pass on technology expenses

  • Reduced convenience when shopping at multiple stores

  • Particular challenges for seniors and people with mobility issues

  • Environmental impact from increased trolley collection activities




Part of a bigger technological revolution



The Dickson debacle isn't happening in isolation. Coles announced trials of smart trolleys this week, promising 'a new level of convenience' with tablet displays and EFTPOS machines that allow customers to track spending in real time and skip checkout lines. Woolworths is also trialling similar technology in partnership with Instacart.



These developments represent a fundamental shift in how Australian supermarkets operate. Coin-operated locks are now in place at ALDI, Coles, Woolworths, Target, Big W and Dan Murphys following sustained pressure from local councils.









Did you know?


Did you know?
The ACT Government has been pushing for trolley containment systems since 2018, with city rangers managing 488 trolley complaints in the 2015-16 financial year. The public can now report abandoned trolleys through retailer apps or by calling 1800 TROLLEY (1800 876 553).



The technical tangle explained



The root cause of the Dickson drama appears to be a classic case of incompatible technologies. Different systems use varying trigger mechanisms—when a Woolworths trolley equipped with one type of locking system travels over a Coles trigger system, the steering locks activate inappropriately.



It's rather like having a Samsung phone that mysteriously shuts down every time it gets near an iPhone tower—technically possible, but utterly ridiculous in practice.



What this means for your weekly shop



For Australian seniors, this technological arms race presents particular challenges. The systems can be confusing, especially when they malfunction or interfere with each other. If you're planning to shop at multiple stores in the same area, you might want to:





  • Check if trolleys can be taken to your car from both stores
  • Consider bringing your own shopping bags or trolley
  • Ask staff about trolley return policies before you start shopping
  • Be aware that some car parks may have restrictions on which trolleys can access them



The good news? Both Coles and Woolworths say they're working together to resolve the Dickson situation. Whether that means compatible technology or simply agreeing to stay in their respective lanes remains to be seen.



What This Means For You


What started as a simple attempt to keep trolleys where they belong has evolved into a high-tech comedy of errors. While the technology behind these systems is undoubtedly impressive, perhaps it's time to ask whether we've lost sight of the simple goal: helping customers get their groceries home without needing a degree in electronic engineering.



Have you encountered similar trolley troubles at your local shops? We'd love to hear about your experiences with these high-tech shopping assistants—and whether they've been more help or hindrance to your weekly grocery run.





  • Primary Source


    https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyl...r/news-story/3603a52255441426bda40c413c8749af





  • Coles Dickson on track to open this year next to Woolworths, developer TP Dynamics confirms | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT

    Cited text: ... TP Dynamics is developing a mixed-use precinct on what was previously the car park opposite Woolworths, on the corner of Antill and Badham Streets...


    Excerpt: Coles and Woolworths in Dickson are housed in adjacent shopping centres



    https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8195784/long-awaited-coles-dickson-gets-promising-update/





  • Woolworths trolley bay removed from Dickson Library wall | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT

    Cited text: "We were notified by a local community group last week that we had made an error installing a new trolley bay at our Dickson store," a spoke...


    Excerpt: 'Due to the recent upgrade of our trolleys, they will lock when taken near the Coles Centre,'



    https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7252662/the-case-of-the-disappearing-trolley-bay/





  • Coles Dickson on track to open this year next to Woolworths, developer TP Dynamics confirms | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT

    Cited text: Canberrans are likely to have another supermarket option at Dickson by the end of the year, as work progresses on the new Coles development.


    Excerpt: Coles is set to open their new supermarket at Dickson later this year, representing a multimillion-dollar investment



    https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8195784/long-awaited-coles-dickson-gets-promising-update/





  • Coles Dickson on track to open this year next to Woolworths, developer TP Dynamics confirms | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT

    Cited text: 'The development is scheduled to open later this year and represents a multimillion-dollar investment in Canberra.'


    Excerpt: Coles is set to open their new supermarket at Dickson later this year, representing a multimillion-dollar investment



    https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8195784/long-awaited-coles-dickson-gets-promising-update/





  • 2020 | The war on abandoned trolleys can be won. Here's how. - University of Wollongong—UOW

    Cited text: These devices use geofencing, a location-based service that triggers an action or an alert when the device leaves a defined geographical area. The loc...


    Excerpt: The devices use geofencing, a location-based service that triggers an action when the device leaves a defined geographical area, with location determined via GPS, WiFi, or wireless technology



    https://www.uow.edu.au/media/2020/the-war-on-abandoned-trolleys-can-be-won-heres-how.php





  • SMARTSTOP—Mechanical shopping trolley containment | systec POS-Technology

    Cited text: Two SmartStop castors are mounted diagonally and are activated by a magnet set into the ground.


    Excerpt: permanent magnets set into the ground that activate special castors mounted diagonally on the trolley



    https://www.systec.com/en/products/containment-system/smartstop/





  • SMARTSTOP—Mechanical shopping trolley containment | systec POS-Technology

    Cited text: If the trolley is moved slightly sideways, the two SmartStop castors lock at an angle of 30°. The trolley can then only be moved in circles and this e...


    Excerpt: the castors lock at a 30-degree angle, forcing the trolley to move only in circles, effectively preventing removal from the premises



    https://www.systec.com/en/products/containment-system/smartstop/





  • Trolley Lock System to retrieve abandoned trolleys and carts

    Cited text: These costs are passed directly back on to shoppers in higher prices.


    Excerpt: These costs are passed directly back to shoppers in higher prices



    https://tdmn.com.au/





  • Trolley Lock System to retrieve abandoned trolleys and carts

    Cited text: Supermarkets send vehicles to drive around streets trying to find abandoned them, wasting valuable time, money and generating unnecessary co2 emission...


    Excerpt: Supermarkets send vehicles to drive around streets trying to find abandoned trolleys, wasting valuable time and money while generating unnecessary CO2 emissions, with thousands of hours spent weekly on trolley collectors driving…



    https://tdmn.com.au/





  • 'It's quite a triggering experience': Coles' automatic gates have to go | Region Riverina

    Cited text: I went to the local woolworths that didn’t have huge queues, had 2 attendant’s on checkouts and no gates.To say nothing about not being able to take y...


    Excerpt: 'More reason to buy groceries online. Coles and Woolies just making their stores fresher and fresher hellscape every passing moment, especially for people with disabilities or illnesses'



    https://regionriverina.com.au/its-q...ience-coles-automatic-gates-have-to-go/84246/





  • Future of supermarkets: AI trolleys could cost shoppers privacy

    Cited text: Coles announced its trial of smart trolleys this week, promising they would bring a “new level of convenience” into stores.


    Excerpt: Coles announced trials of smart trolleys this week, promising 'a new level of convenience' with tablet displays and EFTPOS machines that allow customers to track spending in real time and skip checkout lines



    https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2024/11/14/smart-trolleys-coles-woolworths





  • Future of supermarkets: AI trolleys could cost shoppers privacy

    Cited text: The supermarket chain said it “allows customers to track their spending in real time, pack as they shop and skip the checkout line for a more seamless...


    Excerpt: Coles announced trials of smart trolleys this week, promising 'a new level of convenience' with tablet displays and EFTPOS machines that allow customers to track spending in real time and skip checkout lines



    https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2024/11/14/smart-trolleys-coles-woolworths





  • Future of supermarkets: AI trolleys could cost shoppers privacy

    Cited text: Woolworths is also trialling the technology in a handful of its own stores in a similar partnership with Instacart.


    Excerpt: Woolworths is also trialling similar technology in partnership with Instacart



    https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2024/11/14/smart-trolleys-coles-woolworths





  • ACT to push supermarkets to introduce coin-lock system for trolleys | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT

    Cited text: The recent push means coin-operated locks are now in place for trolley at ALDI, Coles, Woolworths, Target, Big W and Dan Murphys.


    Excerpt: Coin-operated locks are now in place at ALDI, Coles, Woolworths, Target, Big W and Dan Murphys



    https://www.canberratimes.com.au/st...s-to-introduce-coin-lock-system-for-trolleys/





  • ACT to push supermarkets to introduce coin-lock system for trolleys | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT

    Cited text: In 2015-16 financial year city rangers managed 488 trolley complaints received through Access Canberra and 'responses ranged from notification to seiz...


    Excerpt: city rangers managing 488 trolley complaints in the 2015-16 financial year



    https://www.canberratimes.com.au/st...s-to-introduce-coin-lock-system-for-trolleys/





  • Coles

    Cited text: Abandoned trolleys can also be reported 24/7 by calling 1800 TROLLEY (1800 876 553) or using the Coles App.


    Excerpt: 1800 TROLLEY (1800 876 553)



    https://www.coles.com.au/help/abandoned-trolley





  • SmartStop trolley security | Wanzl

    Cited text: If a trolley equipped with SmartStop castor wheels travels over the trigger system, the steering locks are activated, braking two of the castors so th...


    Excerpt: Different systems use varying trigger mechanisms—when a Woolworths trolley equipped with one type of locking system travels over a Coles trigger system, the steering locks activate inappropriately



    https://www.wanzl.com/en_AU/product...ing-trolleys/smartstop-trolley-security~p1418



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