The 10 Best Shopping Cart Manufacturers in The USA
Shopping carts have revolutionized the way we shop, providing convenience and efficiency in retail environments. Whether you run a supermarket, a liquor store, or a specialty shop, having the right shopping cart can enhance the customer experience and boost sales.
In this post, we explore the ten best shopping cart manufacturers in the USA, each offering unique products and innovations tailored to various retail needs. But first, let’s delve into why shopping carts are crucial in retail, their history, and how they’ve evolved over time.
The Importance of Shopping Carts in Retail Sales
Grocery shopping carts play a pivotal role in the retail industry, far beyond their basic function of transporting goods. They are essential tools that can significantly impact a store’s bottom line:
- Increased Sales: Larger carts encourage customers to buy more items, as they have the space to accommodate additional purchases. There is also a cleverly designed small cart specifically engineered for liquor stores that do this by subconsciously encouraging customers to fill its specialized safety rings, which securely hold various bottle sizes, thereby boosting the quantity of bottles purchased per visit.
- Customer Convenience: Carts make shopping easier and more comfortable, allowing customers to browse for longer periods.
- Impulse Purchases: As customers move through the store with a cart, they’re more likely to add unplanned items to their haul.
- Store Navigation: Carts can guide customer flow through the store, influencing traffic patterns and product exposure.
- Brand Image: Well-designed, clean carts contribute to a positive store image and customer perception.
A Brief History of Shopping Carts
The shopping cart, as we know it today, was invented by Sylvan Goldman in 1937. Goldman, owner of the Humpty Dumpty supermarket chain in Oklahoma, noticed that customers stopped shopping when their baskets became too heavy. Inspired by a folding chair, he designed a cart with two wire baskets, one above the other, on a folding frame with wheels.
The invention wasn’t an immediate success. Men found it effeminate, women likened it to pushing a baby carriage, and some older people found it suggestive of invalidity. Goldman hired models of all ages and both sexes to push his new invention around the store, demonstrating its utility.
In 1947, American inventor Orla Watson introduced the telescoping shopping cart, allowing carts to nest together for storage via his invention of the rear swinging door. This design is still widely used today.
Throughout the 1950s the shopping cart caught on and became an integral part of the American shopping experience, eventually becoming a standard in grocery stores across America, coinciding with the rise of supermarkets and self-service shopping.
Innovations throughout the 1960s and 1970s included child seats, improved maneuverability, and various sizes to suit different store types.
The Evolution of Shopping Carts
Since their inception, shopping carts have undergone significant changes:
- Size and Capacity: Carts have generally grown larger over time, reflecting changes in consumer buying habits and store sizes. Remember the first time you pushed a cart at Costco?
- Materials: While still predominantly made of metal, many carts now incorporate plastic elements for reduced weight and improved durability.
- Specialization: Carts have been adapted for specific retail environments, like flatbed carts for hardware stores; or specialized shopping carts for liquor stores that encourage more liquor sales per visit and virtually eliminate bottled breakage.
- Child Seating: The addition of child seats has made shopping more convenient for parents.
- Maneuverability: Improvements in wheel design have made carts easier to steer and control.
- Technology Integration: Some modern carts incorporate touchscreens, barcode scanners, and even self-checkout capabilities.
- Eco-Friendly Designs: There’s a growing trend towards carts made from recycled materials or designed for easier recycling at the end of their lifecycle.
The Top Ten Shopping Cart Manufacturers in The USA
The right shopping cart can significantly impact a retail store’s success. These top ten grocery cart manufacturers offer a wide range of options to suit various retail environments, from traditional supermarkets to specialized stores.
1. Unarco Industries: Known for innovation and durability, this company offers a wide range of carts designed for various retail environments. Their products are praised for ergonomic designs and high-quality materials.
Unarco’s commitment to research and development ensures they stay at the forefront of cart technology, continuously improving their designs based on customer feedback and market trends. They also offer customization options, allowing retailers to tailor carts to their specific needs.
Website: Unarco Industries
2. The Wine & Cheer Cart: This unique, patented cart is specifically designed for stores selling bottles of wine and liquor. Its safety rings securely hold bottles, preventing breakage and encouraging customers to buy more.
Leveraging the psychological primers, like the desire for symmetry, the compulsion to complete unfinished patterns, and Zeigarnik effect, their innovative design not only enhances safety but also serves as a subtle marketing tool. The Wine & Cheer Cart was designed to subconsciously prompt customers to fill its empty safety rings. Its versatility extends beyond liquor stores, proving useful in smaller grocery stores for fragile items like oils, vinegars, and jarred goods.
3. Technibilt/Wanzl: Now known as Wanzl North America, has been a trusted name in the industry for decades. Technibilt provides durable and reliable carts built to last. Their product line includes traditional, compact, and specialty carts focusing on safety and ease of use.
Website: Wanzl North America
4. National Cart Company: Offering an extensive range of carts and retail solutions, this company is known for robust construction and innovative designs. They also provide custom solutions to meet specific client needs.
National Cart Company’s expertise extends beyond just carts to include a full range of retail fixtures and displays. Their in-house engineering team can develop unique solutions for challenging retail environments.
Website: National Cart Company
5. Americana Companies: Specializing in custom cart solutions for various retail environments, Americana offers a variety of styles and configurations. They’re known for their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
Americana’s design process involves close collaboration with clients, ensuring that each cart meets the specific requirements of the store layout and customer base. They also offer refurbishment services to extend the life of existing cart fleets.
Website: Americana Companies
6. Versacart Systems: This company provides innovative solutions prioritizing functionality and aesthetics. Their lightweight yet durable products offer easy maneuverability and a sleek appearance while maintaining high safety standards.
Versacart’s designs often incorporate modern materials like high-grade plastics and aluminum alloys, reducing cart weight without compromising strength. They’re also at the forefront of integrating smart technologies into traditional cart designs.
Website: Versacart Systems
7. R.W. Rogers Company: Offering a comprehensive range of carts and retail equipment, R.W. Rogers is known for high-quality, durable products. They also provide custom solutions to ensure a perfect fit for any retail environment.
With a history dating back several decades, R.W. Rogers combines traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing techniques. They offer a unique “try before you buy” program, allowing retailers to test carts in their actual store environment.
Website: R.W. Rogers Company
8. Precision Wire Products: Specializing in best-in-class shopping cart and wire frame storage systems. Precision Wire Products is a family-owned business that has been one of the West’s largest wire fabricators since 1946 and is also one of the most trusted brands in the industry.
They are recognized for cutting edge innovation and design of new concept shopping carts and other shelving and back room equipment.
Website: Precision Wire Products
9. Good L Corporation: Known for their sustainable solutions, the Good L Corporation is a well-established manufacturer providing a wide range of shopping carts and retail solutions. They produce their big, tall, large, standard, and mini baskets using 100% recycled plastics for unparalleled product durability and environmental peace of mind.
Known for their durable and innovative designs, Good L Corporation caters to the diverse needs of modern retail environments. Their products are designed to enhance the shopping experience and improve operational efficiency.
Website: Good L Corporation
10. The Peggs Company: Providing a wide range of carts and retail solutions, Peggs is known for durable, easy-to-use products with innovative features. They offer both standard and custom solutions to meet diverse client needs.
The Peggs Company’s carts are designed with a focus on ergonomics, reducing strain for both shoppers and store employees. Their product range includes specialized carts for industries beyond traditional retail, such as food service and hospitality.
Website: The Peggs Company
As you can see, there are plenty of great shopping cart manufacturers out there. When choosing a shopping cart manufacturer, what’s important to you?
Beyond price, consider factors such as durability, design, customer comfort, and how well the cart aligns with your specific retail needs. With the right shopping carts, you can enhance the customer experience, potentially increase sales, and improve overall store efficiency.
The Future of Shopping Carts
As retail continues to evolve, shopping carts are adapting to meet new challenges and opportunities. The future of shopping carts lies in smart technology, specialized designs, and enhanced customer experiences:
Smart Technology Integration: Amazon’s Dash Cart exemplifies the future of smart shopping carts featuring their Just Walk Out technology. These high-tech carts feature:
- Built-in scales and cameras to automatically detect items
- Touch screens for displaying shopping lists and store information
- Integrated payment systems for seamless checkout
- AI-powered recommendations based on shopping habits
You can see the Dash Cart in action today at Amazon Fresh grocery stores and some Whole Foods throughout the United States.
Such innovations aim to streamline the shopping process, reduce checkout times, and provide personalized experiences for shoppers.
Specialized Designs for Niche Markets: The Wine & Cheer Cart represents a trend towards highly specialized carts designed for specific retail environments. Its strategically designed safety rings not only protect bottles but also compel shoppers to buy more, demonstrating how thoughtful design can directly impact sales.
We can also expect to see more carts tailored to specific industries, such as:
- Hardware store carts with built-in measuring tools
- Apparel store carts with garment hooks and mirrors
- Electronics store carts with charging ports and device security features
Theft Prevention Technology: Companies like Carttronics (now Gatekeeper Systems) are providing cart management systems that aid in theft deterrence. Gatekeeper Systems help retailers adopt advanced cart tracking systems, reduce cart loss and manage their fleets more effectively. Their theft deterrent systems for carts are at the cutting edge of retail technology.
Eco-Friendly Materials and Designs: As sustainability becomes increasingly important, future carts will likely feature:
- Recycled and biodegradable materials
- Energy-efficient components for smart carts
- Designs that facilitate easy recycling at end-of-life
Enhanced Mobility and Accessibility: Future carts will focus on improved maneuverability and accessibility, potentially including:
- Self-driving capabilities for hands-free shopping
- Adjustable heights to accommodate various user needs
- Power-assisted models for easier pushing in large stores
Data Collection and Analysis: Smart carts will become valuable tools for retailers to collect data on shopping patterns, allowing for:
- Optimized store layouts
- Personalized promotions
- Improved inventory management
Augmented Reality Integration: Some futuristic cart designs may incorporate AR technology to:
- Display product information when an item is placed in the cart
- Show recipe suggestions based on cart contents
- Provide navigation assistance within the store
As these innovations continue to develop, the humble shopping cart will evolve into a sophisticated tool that enhances the retail experience for both customers and retailers.
From the specialized design of the Wine & Cheer Cart to the high-tech features of Amazon’s Dash Cart, the future of shopping carts promises to revolutionize the way we shop, making it more efficient, personalized, and enjoyable.
Ready to Buy Some New Shopping Carts for Your Store?
Selecting the right shopping cart is crucial for any retail environment. The manufacturers listed above offer a range of products designed to meet various needs, from traditional shopping carts to innovative, custom solutions. By choosing high-quality shopping carts from reputable manufacturers, retailers can ensure a better shopping experience and improved operational efficiency.
And – shameless pitch – if you run a liquor store, The Wine & Cheer Cart, with its specialized design and unique features, provides an excellent option for stores looking to enhance customer convenience, reduce breakage and increase safety – all while boosting sales with brain science!
Thanks for reading!
DISCLAIMER: While the Wine & Cheer Cart is designed based on established retail and psychological principles, individual results may vary. The effectiveness of the Wine & Cheer Cart in increasing sales depends on numerous factors beyond our control, including but not limited to store layout, product selection, pricing, customer demographics, and overall market conditions. We do not guarantee any specific increase in sales or revenue as a result of using the Wine & Cheer Cart.
By purchasing or using the Wine & Cheer Cart, you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for your business outcomes. We expressly disclaim any warranties or representations regarding the performance of the Wine & Cheer Cart in increasing sales. Our company shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising out of or in any way connected with the use of the Wine & Cheer Cart or the inability to achieve desired sales results.
It is the responsibility of each business to evaluate the suitability of the Wine & Cheer Cart for their specific needs and to implement it as part of a comprehensive retail strategy. We recommend consulting with a retail specialist to maximize the potential benefits of the Wine & Cheer Cart in your unique business environment.