1. Design and Construction

• Material: European shopping carts are constructed from high-quality materials such as cold-rolled steel wire, stainless steel, or durable plastic, ensuring longevity and the ability to withstand heavy use.
• Swivel Wheels: Unlike American shopping carts with fixed rear wheels and swivel front wheels, European carts typically feature four swivel wheels. This design provides superior maneuverability, especially in the narrower aisles of European supermarkets.
• Nestable Design: These carts are designed to nest within each other, saving storage space and facilitating the collection and movement of multiple carts at once.

2. Sizes and Capacities

• Variety of Sizes: European shopping carts come in various sizes to meet different shopping needs, including 60L, 80L, 100L, 125L, 150L, and larger capacities for hypermarkets.
• Child Seat: Many European carts are equipped with a foldable child seat near the handle, offering a safe and convenient place for children to sit while their parents shop.

3. Coin-Operated Mechanism

• Coin Deposit System: A distinctive feature of European shopping carts is the coin-operated mechanism. Shoppers insert a coin (typically €1 or a 50-cent coin) to unlock a cart from the chain of nested carts. The coin is returned when the cart is brought back and reattached. This system encourages customers to return carts to designated areas, reducing the need for staff to collect scattered carts.

4. Practical Features

• Bottom Tray: Many European shopping carts include a bottom tray for additional storage of bulky items, maximizing the cart’s capacity.
• Ergonomic Handles: The handles of European carts are often ergonomically designed for comfortable pushing, even when the cart is fully loaded.