How to Choose a Shopping Trolley in 2025 (and why we made the Marketday Cart)

You’ve seen them everywhere – the ubiquitous granny cart, shopping cart, dolly trolley, grocery cart, shopping trolley. You can easily find them with searches like shopping cart Kmart; shopping trolley Bunnings and Shopping trolley BIGW. 

Originally, these carts were used by people – let’s face it – women – to shop in their local grocery store. After getting some essentials, they  then move onto the butcher, the fruit and vege vendor and the baker for their supplies, then walk home to their cottage just a few hundred metres from the city square…possibly stopping at the egg farm on the way. 

Whilst it seems that our hurried lifestyles are calling for a fast and furious shopping trip on the way from here to there. I think that people are increasingly craving opportunities to slow down and appreciate the simple things.

The weekend can still be a leisurely time to get things done at a slower pace. So, lets consider your options for a shopping cart and hone in on functionality, style and sustainability. Let's make the every day, more do-able, a bit more fun and kinder to the earth.

Functionality - What are you lugging?

If you’re carrying things that are all heavy or really light, and won’t be damaged by a little rough handling – then a foldable shopping cart from Kmart that has one bag with 2 or 4 wheels might be all you need. These carts will do that job but beware of their sustainability. There's a reason we see them in the kerbside pickup all the time - no replaceable parts or anyone willing to provide that service.

If you are buying fruit, vegetables or other general groceries, you’re going to have a variety of soft and hard things in that load. We're thinking about plastic or glass bottles of milk teamed with soft doughy bread and tomatoes. They don’t play nicely and need to be protected from each other. The Kmart version isn't really doing the job here and that's why we made The Marketday Cart. If you are a farmers market shopper you will know the problem of having to repack the granny cart at every stop.  We decided to do something about it.

We quickly realised that the cart was useful for other tasks - maybe you are a stylist, a teacher, a workshop presenter, an artist – and you need things separated and organised into sections so you can run your day easily. Imagine being ready to go when you arrive instead of sorting out the jumble for 10 minutes.

For these jobs a cart with compartments makes sense and you might want to check out our Marketday Cart.

In fact, we have just won the 2025 Gold Design Ward and Best in Class at the Australian Good Design Awards. 

Features:

• sleek lightweight aluminium frame 
• 3 insulated baskets that lift off easily + are washable
• large wheels to manage most surfaces 
• patented gimble design so baskets stay horizontal when in use
• foldable design for easy storage
• long handle for tall people
• Australian designed and owned
• Comes in 3 colours - Green Bean, Sage Advice and Double Denim

This cart has been designed to saunter around your local farmer's market or neighbourhood, or pack it into your car, folded frame and all once you are done at your event.

What’s your style?

For many people, buying bags, clothes and accessories is a considered choice that reflects their personal style. If you don’t feel comfortable with the thing you are carrying or wearing, you probably won’t use it very often.

The humble shopping trolley/granny cart has been refreshed by many companies around the world so  they are no longer an accessory afterthought. Many brands have totally revamped the cart's look with colours, prints and finishes to complement any style. But if you want outstanding functionality AND style, then you’ll need a Marketday Cart.

Sustainability - Are you looking for a long-lasting product?

Sustainability is a big issue for anyone with a stake in the future – be it for yourself, your children or any other young people in your life. The customer demand for companies to do better in all areas of their production is driving better products and opportunity for more informed choice. 

When it comes to carts, simply using one is a "green" choice - their portable nature encourages walking instead of driving for local errands. That's fewer emissions, more steps on your fitness tracker, and a fun way to explore your neighborhood's shops and characters.

But sustainability is in the making and the life cycle of a product. Granny carts / shopping trolleys are made from aluminium or plastic. While virgin aluminium is a source of carbon emissions, about 80% of all aluminium is recycled and reused across the world. It’s also very strong. So, used in the right kinds of products that are meant to last, aluminium is a lesser of the many evils. Combine that with a company that will fix a broken, lost or used part, you are now really getting bang for your buck.  But who does that? Marketday does.

The bags that are used in carts are also getting smarter – recycled PET fabrics, low water use hemp, recycled cottons. Brands are trying to get this right. 

How to choose your shopping cart

So, how do you buy well with a sustainability eye? Here’s 5 ways to inform your choice.

• Look for products made from recycled, recyclable or renewable materials. Products made from recycled aluminium, plastic, paper, or other materials help reduce waste and the demand for new raw materials
• Make sure the product you are considering is made by a company that has stated sustainability values.
• Get to know the founder of the company. Chances are they are a real person doing their best to stay true to their values.
• Look for companies who are creating products that are designed to last with a long life cycle, and products that can be repaired, recycled or re-purposed. You want something that can be used over and over again and with some care and maintenance, never ends up in landfill.  
• Prioritize products with minimal packaging or packaging made from sustainable materials like paper, cardboard, or plant-based plastics

So, whether you are lugging stuff from A-B for work, or heading out to your local farmers market, what will you choose to make your day just that bit easier?