Does your store still not have trolley shelters? Then your space organisation, safety, and the way customers move in and out of the shop are likely falling short.
Another common mistake is having shelters but installing them without a clear strategy. Because a poorly planned shelter neither organises nor protects supermarket trolleys, and brings no clear benefit.
However, when they are well designed, they become the perfect tool to organise flow, reduce incidents and, above all, significantly improve the customer experience.
Where should trolley shelters be placed?
In areas where there is real movement: main entrances, exits, walkways and transition zones between the car park and the store.
Placing them outside these areas reduces their effectiveness and creates disorder in the flow of both trolleys and people.
How many shelters do I need?
As a general guideline, each row usually accommodates between 15 and 18 trolleys. However, this figure depends on several factors:
- Trolley model
- Type of shelter structure
- Customer volume of the store
Incorrect calculation leads to overcrowding or lack of availability.
Should they be indoors, outdoors or both?
The answer is clear: both.
Limiting shelters to a single area leaves the customer journey incomplete. Continuity between outdoor and indoor spaces is what enables a smooth experience.
How do they affect customer flow?
Here, the answer is also clear: directly.
Correct placement prevents bottlenecks, improves circulation and ensures easy access to trolleys at all times. It is an improvement that customers may not consciously notice, but they experience it and it has an impact on their visit.
What happens if there is no strategy behind it?
Shelters lose their function, becoming a static element that does not solve operational problems or improve space organisation.
Therefore, the solution is not simply to install shelters, but to integrate them into the logic of the point of sale. Planning their placement means understanding how the store operates and how customers move within it.
If you want to make decisions based on operational criteria rather than assumptions, our team can help you define the best strategy for your trolley shelters and enhance your supermarket’s performance.
