According to grocery industry estimates, one US$100 supermarket trolley, or cart, goes walkabout every 90 seconds in the US, theft that is costing retailers millions of dollars a year.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Gatekeeper’s new device is offering to put a brake on trolley theft, however, by effectively freezing the cart’s wheels when it is taken towards a set perimeter of the store. The wheels can only be released by a specially designed ‘key’.
Several stores have been testing the device for months, creating a force field with underground cable marking the edge of the supermarkets’ property, and its developers say it is now ready for a more general release.
Lee Brunson, spokesman for Publix Super Markets, said the trial was a successful and the device “helped us tremendously”. Winn-Dixie is meanwhile testing the device in a few Orlando locations, complaining that people do not seem to appreciate that taking a trolley is actually classed as criminal theft.
Brett Osterfelt, VP at Gatekeeper, commented: “Shopping carts are expensive. Replacing them starts to eat into your profits pretty quickly.”
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalData
