Efficiency
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Store a foldable trolley in your vehicle for hauling groceries, particularly when you must walk.
The wheels eliminate the need to lift heavy loads, and the unit collapses to fit inside the car.
3 people, independently
Keep large blue bags from IKEA in your car for grocery shopping.
They are durable, hold a large volume, fold small for storage, and are inexpensive.
4 people, independently
- Keep inexpensive blue bags in your car trunk to use as strong carriers for groceries.1
Avoid parking directly adjacent to shopping cart corrals or store entrances.
These spots have a higher chance of getting dinged by carts.
4 people, independently
- Park in the aisle opposite the cart return, rather than directly adjacent to it.3
- Do not park near cart stows to protect your vehicle from dings caused by other shoppers' carts.2
If you are buying only one or two items, skip the shopping cart to help prevent over-shopping.
It helps you not over shop.
one person who lived it
Ask the cashier to use as few bags as possible.
To avoid making multiple trips.
one person who lived it
Park in the back of the lot, far from the entrance.
This reduces the risk of door dings and scratches from other drivers and avoids traffic congestion near the front.
5 people, independently
- Park in the last spot of a row.2
Return your shopping cart to the corral no matter where you park, as loose carts block spaces and damage cars while staff are limited.
Loose carts block parking spaces and damage cars; stores often schedule only one courtesy clerk who cannot spare cashiers to retrieve them.
one person who lived it
- Return loose shopping carts to the corral or inside the store to help overworked clerks.1
Buckle children into their car seats before loading groceries.
This keeps them out of harm's way from runaway carts.
one person who lived it
Take the first reasonable open spot you find rather than circling for a closer one.
Circling wastes time that could be spent shopping; the first available spot is generally more efficient.
4 people, independently
19 more on this
Remove trash from your shopping cart before returning it to the corral.
It prevents employees from having to handle your garbage and reduces the spread of germs to other carts.
2 people, independently
If you must climb many stairs with groceries, consider placing a laundry basket in your trunk for transport.
It aids in carrying items up stairs.
- You will also have to carry the weight of the empty basket up the stairs.
one person who lived it
Be aware that grocery carts can roll away on inclines and enter roads, posing serious danger.
One incident involved a cart rolling into the road and being hit by a passing truck.
one person who lived it
Tell customers it is okay to leave their cart outside and that you will get it, which may encourage them to return it themselves.
Customers are likely to bring the cart in if told this.
one person who lived it
Hold the heaviest grocery bag closest to your body when carrying multiple bags by hand.
Its weight keeps lighter bags away from your legs, preventing them from bumping against you.
one person who lived it
Reframe carrying heavy groceries as free cardio and strength training.
It contributes to an active lifestyle and can build muscle in arms and legs.
2 people, independently
Use a basket to shop so that all purchased items will fit in your backpack for transport home.
You cannot fit the content of a full cart in a backpack.
one person who lived it
Keep dish gloves in your car.
They allow you to handle dirty shopping carts without direct contact.
one person who lived it
One approach that helped build politeness: teach children to return carts as a daily habit.
Consistent daily behaviors like this contributed to raising a polite young adult who helps others.
- Some store employees dislike when customers take breaks outside instead of returning carts immediately.
one person who lived it
Ask store employees to place items on the bag carousel so you can bag them yourself if it is easier for you.
It is usually easier for the customer to bag their own items.
one person who lived it
Use a laundry basket with handles in your car to carry groceries, preventing items from bottoming out or spilling.
The basket has handles and ensures goodies don't spill out on the drive home.
one person who lived it
Park next to the cart return rather than closest to the store entrance.
It minimizes walking distance when returning your cart and makes exiting quicker.
18 people, independently
- Park close to the designated cart return area.1
Use a U-lock to hook multiple grocery bags together for carrying without hurting your hands.
The lock is solid, prevents bag tearing due to its curve, and provides a handle
one person who lived it
Drive gently and avoid sudden swerves or hard turns when transporting groceries to prevent them from spilling.
Sudden movements cause groceries to roll; gentle driving prevents this.
one person who lived it
Use your own reusable bags at stores that offer a small discount for bringing your own containers.
These can eventually pay for themselves.
one person who lived it
Enter through the outermost door of a set of double doors to maintain walking momentum.
Using the furthest door avoids the 'pull swing-with-your-butt-out' motion, saving momentum as supported by physics.
one person who lived it
Use foldable reusable shopping bags from stores like Aldi or Costco for easier storage and greater capacity.
They store away easily, can be used anywhere, and hold more than typical bags.
one person who lived it
Reuse disposable plastic bags for garbage or dog waste pickup instead of buying separate bags.
Buying separate sets is wasteful and violates Reduce, Reuse, Recycle principles.
one person who lived it
Park facing the direction you will leave the store.
You avoid encountering pedestrians or slow-moving vehicles while exiting.
one person who lived it