New US-style Tesco Trolleys Mocked Online as 'Target Rejects' — But Will They Replace Metal Carts for Good?

Tesco has launched a trial of new American-style plastic trolleys, sparking a flurry of online mockery as shoppers liken them to 'Target rejects'.

Yet despite the criticism, the supermarket argues that these light‑weight carts could redefine UK grocery shopping by offering better manoeuvrability, durability and cost savings.

Public Reaction to Tesco's New Trolley Design

The new hybrid trolleys, currently being tested at the Sheffield Infirmary Superstore, combine a plastic basket atop a traditional metal frame, a format already in trial at Waitrose's Brent Cross store.

Designed with an eye on US-style carts—lighter, quieter, and recyclable—they mark a shift in supermarket trolley design.

Social media users were quick to poke fun, with some on Reddit mocking the reduced capacity of the new trolleys:

Why Tesco Thinks Plastic Is Better

Tesco insists these carts deliver more than novelty. Formbar, the UK supplier, notes that the lighter plastic baskets are 'easier to push around', particularly when fully loaded, and produce less rattling noise. The baskets are also fully recyclable, and Tesco hopes they will deter scrap‑metal thieves, who frequently target traditional steel trolleys.

'Trolleys are important, they are the first thing you see as you go into a supermarket,' said Hannah Lewis, managing director of Formbar. 'The plastic ones are more cost-effective to maintain, as well as being fully recyclable.'

'We'll be seeing them much more in the future, which I think people will like as they are easier to push around than the steel ones, and they are quieter too with no metal rattling sounds.'

Lessons from the Past

This isn't Tesco's first foray into trolley experimentation. In March 2025, the chain trialled giant trolley scales at a Gateshead store as part of its 'Scan as You Shop' initiative. Reactions were mixed, with some shoppers sarcastically likening the experience to 'border control' as they pushed their trolleys onto scales before checkout.

One Reddit user posted: 'Once again, the big supermarkets have decided that you, the customer, are the shoplifters they want to catch. The guys who put five bottles of vodka down their pants will continue to walk out the front door without paying for a thing.'

'For the rest of us unpaid customer-employees of Tesco, you better have scanned all your items with 100% accuracy.'

Another Reddit user lamented: 'This is going backwards.' 'Whatever happened to that big arch they wanted you to push the trolley through, and it would scan everything in one go?'

A similar programme featuring AI camera oversight at self‑checkout lanes prompted further criticism, accused of being 'deeply invasive' and akin to football's VAR tech.

Will Plastic Trolleys Catch On?

Tesco is gathering feedback from customers and staff during the trial period. For some shoppers, the quiet, lightweight plastic may indeed enhance the in‑store experience, especially those who find metal rattles jarring or have mobility issues navigating heavier carts.

Yet significant questions remain. Capacity concerns are real, especially for larger shops. Others wonder if the plastic might be easily damaged or unsuited to heavy grocery loads. Retail consultant Ged Futter warns that cost-cutting innovations risk alienating shoppers if they erode convenience or signal distrust.

What Comes Next?

Tesco has yet to announce a wider rollout. Initial trials will focus on customer satisfaction levels, operational resilience, and vandalism or theft rates. Meanwhile, these lightweight carts, dubbed 'Target rejects' in viral posts, have successfully stirred public debate.

If trials go well, plastic trolleys could become a mainstay in UK supermarkets, offering savings and environmental gains. But if shoppers conclude that capacity and convenience were sacrificed in the name of innovation, Tesco may pause before making a complete switch.

Until then, expect plenty more cart banter, social media jibes, and careful weighing of what truly makes a shopping trolley effective.

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