Where can I find a decently large-sized shopping cart/shopping trolley?

When I shopped in the US, I walked to the supermarket with a shopping trolley.  I do the same here in the UK.

I don't drive, don't want to depend on my husband to drive me to the shop, and I have a problem with driving some place that is walking distance, anyway. But it's too far to walk carrying lots of heavy bags.

In the US, I had a large shopping trolley, like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B0000UZ57S/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=1055398&s=home-garden

(That photo was from Amazon US, and they won't ship this product to the UK).

I was able to comfortably carry a week's worth of groceries for two people, plus dog and cat food and cat litter, in it.

I know have a shopping trolley that I bought in a home and garden shop in the UK, which looks like this:



It is the largest one I could find in the shop.  I have to make at least two trips back and forth to the supermarket because I can't fit everything in (we don't have any pets now), and that includes tying one or two carrier bags to the handles because I can't fit them in the trolley - it's only me and DH, it's not like we have a huge family with lots of children.

Does anyone know if there are any shops in the UK where they sell shopping trolleys that are big enough for people who can only shop once a week?

Or does everybody in the UK (other than old people who can shop more than once a week) drive to the supermarket even when it's less than 1/2 a mile away?

We got ours from Ikea.  It's not huge, but it fits a fair amount.  It's also cheaper than the ones I've seen advertised, and judging from my MiL's woes with hers (looks exactly like yours, and it's constantly needing to be fixed), it is sturdier.  We may have to replace the bag soon, but they are only £2.  It can be a bit awkward if you aren't careful packing.  I can't remember for sure what the weight limit is on it, but I am thinking 35 kilos.  We can fit 2 of those big Sainsbury's bags for life stuffed full and a smaller bag or two on top.  I then take a backpack if we need more space.  It's not huge, but it's not tiny either.  It's bigger than the usual bagged ones with the permanently attached bags.

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/S79875197

I've not seen a big one here.  I wish I could find the trolley I had just before leaving the States.  It looked a bit like a stroller, but had a liner you could remove.  It had a lot of pockets and bags, and folded up well.  It wasn't huge, but it was usually fine for me.

What bugs me about a lot of shopping carts here is they don't fold up, so you see people like my MiL pulling her cart and pushing the shop's trolley.  I held off getting one until I could find one that wasn't tiny that folded up.

As for the shopping, I think most people shop more than once a week.  Usually, we do a big shop and a couple of small shops.  Once in a while we try to last a week on a big shop, but usually we need to replenish milk or cream or whatever.  We don't have an under counter fridge, but it's small enough to make it difficult to do one shop.

I've got this one, (and did not pay close to that much for it).  It holds a good amount when completely full, but I think the design isn't great.  I appreciate the soft sides for flexibility, but if it was just a few inches taller, it would make a world of difference.

I do a bunch of smaller shops during the week, though, so it's not too often an issue.

ETA:  so I guess my point is that I wouldn't recommend mine.

See under Travel and Transport. "Who Needs a Car When You Can Rock a Trolley". Maybe there is some ideas there. (grammar)

Hollyberry  was able to buy what you are looking for.

Good Luck!

Quote:

I got mine at a luggage store called Mr. Bens. 

I've seen cheaper ones around (Wilkos particularly), but I'm glad I talked to a salesman and test drove before I bought.  I thought I wanted a 2 wheel model, but am glad I was talked out of it. 

4 wheel models require less effort to move and manipulate.  Not so easy on stairs, but you get a system going.  If you are trying to spare your back, you really don't want to be dragging anything behind you.   

Another great idea, for laundry.

I just checked and saw that you bought a trolley in 2008. Do you have the "new trolley fever"

Lisapower bought one.

These trolleys are all seem to be very small.

It's hard to show from the photo, but the one that I had in the UK was much larger.

It could hold maybe 6 or 8 bags of groceries.

I could also use it to transport large items and appliances, like a microwave or a small TV.

Before I moved to the UK,  I used to stick two large boxes full of book or other items in the trolley and wheel it to the post office every week to have it sent to the UK.

I guess they don't make these in the UK and I will have to make multiple trips to the shop?

DH suggested I just take the supermarket's trolley home with me, then return it after I empty it, but I think security at the supermarket will think I am trying to steal the trolley.

I don't know if this sounds crazy, but could you use a four wheeled suitcase style dufflebag or would that be too big when you're shopping?

I have a really great Eastpak wheeled sports bag which Is really easy to wheel around and has loads of handles for going up stairs etc and is giant.

You might look a bit odd, but who cares?

This kind of thing -
http://www.chemical-records.co.uk/sc/servlet/Info?ref=gbase&Track=JTOC7088
http://www.adventureavenue.co.uk/centurion-plus-68-wheeled-luggage-red-cat-6-subcat-32-product-439
http://www.eastpak.com/shop/uk/control/product?category_id=ROOT_COLLECTIONS&subcategory_id=COLLEC_URBAN_ACTION&product_id=EK909671_00_999&breadcrumb=yes
http://www.eastpak.com/shop/uk/control/product?category_id=ROOT_BAGS&subcategory_id=COLLEC_AUTHENTIC&product_id=EK441454_00_999&breadcrumb=yes

DH suggested I just take the supermarket's trolley home with me, then return it after I empty it, but I think security at the supermarket will think I am trying to steal the trolley.

a lot of supermarkets have security on the trolley, so if u bring it past a certain point in the carpark,the wheels lock up and you cant move it.

gotta love it lol

a lot of supermarkets have security on the trolley, so if u bring it past a certain point in the carpark,the wheels lock up and you cant move it.

gotta love it lol

I wasn't going to try it anyway. 

some places let you borrow a trolley. When I had to bring home a lot of stuff from argos that I couldnt carry , I had to leave a £5 deposit and they let me take it home,drop my stuff off,and bring it back. Its worth a try

But I did feel like a dumbass pushing the trolley down the road though! lol

i have seen larger ones at tkmaxx here, for about 20 pounds.  worth a look if you have one near you.  lakeland used to have an XL sized one, but haven't looked lately.

i have seen larger ones at tkmaxx here, for about 20 pounds.  worth a look if you have one near you.  lakeland used to have an XL sized one, but haven't looked lately.

Thanks!

I just checked and saw that you bought a trolley in 2008. Do you have the "new trolley fever"

Lisapower bought one.

I LOVE my trolley too! 

If you have one of those big ones and you're walking, I suppose it would be ok.  I think if you were riding the buses like I do though, it could get quite heavy to be trying to lift and manuever, especially on a full bus.  When mine is full, it's about as heavy as I want to go.

How big is it? I would only be walking.

I went to Lakeland and they only had 2-wheelers. I need one with four wheels.

Does anyone know if the ones they sell at TK Maxx come folded up when you buy them, as I would have to take it on the bus to get it home from TK Maxx?

Barnitts in York have them: http://www.barnitts.co.uk/products/4_wheeled.html.