We have them too. They are about half the size; quite short in the front. DH grabs them and calls it a race car and can really zip around.

I, too, love the smaller carts Wegman's offers. They're a completely different design from a regular grocery cart--basically 2 smaller wire baskets, set one above the other, with spaces for your coffee/drink, if you're the sort of shopper who needs one to navigate the store. The best thing about them is that there's no infant seat, so no worries on that front!

It really is nice to have a choice.

Yep - love those carts --- at both Wegman's and Giant.

Meijer too has the smaller carts. I don't really care for them as they do not help me walk as well while pushing the cart as the larger cart, just does not seem to be the right height or something. Anyway the smaller ones would not hold my weekly shopping.

Sue

Our favorite store has conventional carts and also baskets that you pull around behind you, like luggage, those are fabulous! I can zoom thru the store twice as fast and it'll hold a lot of stuff, but not as much as a cart. They have a pull up handle and they are very smooth, I'll use one of those every time I can. Sometimes if Woody is with me, we'll each take one and split up the list.

I've used the smaller carts down in FL and I thought that they were great, too. Sometimes you just need more than a basket but less than a cart.

I meant to say- the ones I really like are about the size of a kitchen waste basket- taller than the ones you carry, about 3 times taller.

I like stores that offer hand-baskets. I'll often shop for just a few items-like several cans of cat food. I love it that stores are so friendly to customers.

I use the larger ones to help me walk. But I'm glad there's a choice in a lot of stores.

Shirley

I just watched two programs about grocery shopping. One was a rerun about how supermarkets work and the other was about the Costco effect. One of them said that huge carts are necessary for success. People buy more when the cart is bigger.

I don't like hand baskets because I always buy more than I intended and it gets too heavy to carry. I can't put my pocketbook in it and I also tend to bump people with them. I do like the smaller "double decker" carts.

I saw that there was a special on about Costco, but we don't get MSNBC. I did read that toilet paper was the number one seller.

That's what we buy, and their kitty litter. The price can't be beat. I've heard that their meat is excellent, as well.

I'd love to have seen the show.

My favorite ones are the shallow ones. No kids with soiled clothing and shoes riding in those. One f my pet peeves is seeing kids riding in the food area of the shopping cart. Nasty.

The smaller carts here are too short, and the rack on the bottom is so low that I kick it when walking.

I'm tall and take long steps. If I'm doing the shopping, it doesn't matter how few items I'm getting, I use the regular cart. Hunching over to push a cart is not pleasant. I do love the shallow basket/standard height ones, but my preferred store doesn't have them.

If you click on this link, in the first photo, the trolley basket on the right is what our store has, along with regular carts and smaller hand-held baskets.

Here is a link that might be useful: The green one on the right-

dedtired--PLEASE PLEASE never put your purse in a cart!!! From your post it sounds as if you do. That's a great way to have your wallet stolen--very common, and becoming more common in this bad economy. I know people who do it SAY they're aware, and no one will steal from them. But I watch them as they shop--they turn from the cart to choose the prettiest apples, their attention totally on the fruit. It takes a pro only a few seconds to relieve you of your wallet. Having been the victim of a wallet-snatcher--and finding out that these people are organized pro's, I try to warn everyone I see who leaves their purse any place a thief could access it.

Look, I know we all think it doesn't happen that often, and that somehow we're special and it won't happen to us. Well, that method worked for me for about 59 years--but believe me, we're all potential victims to those who don't believe society's rules applay to them.

I prefer the regular size carts. I always look for a space near the cart corral, but a lot of others prefer that space too. The large carts help me to get through the often rough parking lots.

Our CVS only has small carts. One problem I have with them is there is no good place to hook my cane! It is always sticking out and in my way.

I hope our $stores don't start using the wheel-lock at the door carts!

Jasdip, I don't get MSNBC on TV, but I can get it online. Try this link to see if you can get it.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: MSNBC

Speaking of carts....does anyone like the ones at Kohl's???? I absolutely hate them!!!

How about Ikea's with the wheels that seem to float? I haven't made up my mind on those yet.

Flamey - Those trolly carts look good for people who don't have arthritis in the hips or knees.
Just walking around those concrete floors in supermarkets is too much impact for me.

redcurls, I HATE HATE HATE KOHL'S baskets! Those things are insane? I'd love to know what knucklehead invented those!

I liked the style of shopping cart that was high with a square top that flipped up when they are stacked together? They used to be everywhere but then they just disappeared and they use the old timey style carts. I'd LOVE to have a smaller cart option but no one has those here. I was just thinking today at Sam's Club that I wish they had a smaller cart option instead of those GINORMOUS ones, I had four things in my giant cart...HA!

Never saw a cart like that before, Flamey.

If I only get a few things, I put them in my shopping bags. Then put them on the belt at the check out, and re bag.

Moni

Only time I saw the clothes basket type ones were at Menards selling them as clothes baskets. Thought about buying on for laundry. And I've never been to a Kohl's.

A couple stores have the smaller cart option. I don't use them. Tried it once or twice but didn't like them though they'd work in a jam. I tend to lean on them a lot when I'm stiff and the smaller ones are a lower height.

Fleet Farm has what look like conventional carts but they're designed differently. If you lean on the handle, it'll do a wheelie. Almost landed on my face the one day when I was really stiff and sore. And this place makes you sign a contract to use their electric carts and give them your ID. You must indemnify the store in the event that anything happens, including damage to the store, even to the point if someone else is responsible, you indemnify them. I laughed at them and said buh-bye. Didn't go there often before. Go there less often now.

From the store's standpoint I understand the smaller cart - lower price and possibly lower frequency of repair. As a customer, I don't see any advantage. What is it that you love so much? I must be missing something. They block the aisles as effectively as a standard cart and work the same on the rule of thirds aisle blocking. I guess for some the lower reach into it would be helpful but that's about all I see so far anyway.

I think this one is interesting.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kinect Cart

Yeah, I do put my purse in the baby seat of the cart. I put my hand through the strap and then grab the handle. I do know there is a risk in doing this. I guess I shouldn't but the darn thing weighs a ton.

Interesting that Costco makes almost no money on the actual items they sell. They make all their money on membership fees. The report also said you really don't save so much by shopping there. I buy a few things there but since I am shopping for one, I can't use the huge amounts they carry.

The show was really interesting. Well worth watching.

And I hate pushing those darn big carts!