Views of Adults on Shopping Trolleys: Implications for the Development of a Shopping Trolley

ABSTRACT

Expert recommendations regarding trolley specifications and customer expectations of trolley features are equally important in the development of a customer-oriented shopping trolley that minimizes the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. However, little is known about such customer expectations, and hence this study aimed to examine the views of Hong Kong adults on shopping trolleys.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 140 Chinese adults aged 40 or over with no cognitive or communication impairments. These adults were approached in markets, supermarkets, and public parks in Hong Kong. Individual face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire were used to collect the data.

Fifty-six (40%) of the participants were current users, 32 (23%) were ex-users, and 52 (37%) were non-users of shopping trolleys. More of the user and ex-user participants perceived shopping trolleys to be energy saving and protective of the joints. Lightness and easy storage, a pulling and pushing motion, suitability for use on stairs, and adjustable handle height were the trolley features most frequently expected by the participants. The user and ex-user participants rated lightness, a pushing motion and changeable trolley bags to be comparatively more important than the non-user participants.

The findings have implications for the development of an evidence-based shopping trolley design. Close cooperation is needed between ergonomists and design and engineer experts to develop an ergonomically designed shopping trolley that prioritizes the health and safety of its users.