From Trolleys to Carts: The Many Names of a Retail Icon

If you've ever traveled internationally or even just had a conversation with someone from another region, you might have noticed that not everyone calls it a "shopping cart." Depending on where you are, this everyday object goes by many different names—each reflecting regional dialects and cultural influences.

What’s in a Name?

In the United States, "shopping cart" is the go-to term for the wheeled basket that helps customers transport their groceries and goods while shopping. However, head over to the United Kingdom, Australia, or New Zealand, and you’ll hear it referred to as a "trolley." Meanwhile, in Canada, some regions stick to "cart," while others might say "buggy." And in South Africa, "trolley" is commonly used, much like in the UK.

In some parts of the southern United States, "buggy" is a familiar term, often rooted in historical usage of the word for wheeled transport. In Germany, it's called a "Einkaufswagen" (literally translating to "shopping wagon"), while in France, it's known as a "chariot."

A Symbol of Commerce and Convenience

Beyond its many names, the shopping cart has become an enduring symbol of retail and commerce. Its impact extends beyond physical stores—just think of the online shopping world. The familiar shopping cart icon has become a universal digital symbol, representing the ability to add items to a virtual cart before making a purchase. This simple yet powerful icon connects the traditional in-store experience with the modern e-commerce era, reinforcing how integral the cart is to consumer behavior.

From a marketing perspective, the shopping cart is more than just a tool for carrying groceries—it embodies the entire shopping journey, from selection to checkout. Whether pushing a trolley down a supermarket aisle or clicking a shopping cart button on a website, consumers engage with this concept in both physical and digital spaces.

The Future of the Shopping Cart

As retail evolves, so does the shopping cart. From the original wireframe design patented by Sylvan Goldman in 1937 to today’s tech-enhanced carts with digital screens and self-checkout capabilities, the cart remains central to the shopping experience. Even as artificial intelligence and automation shape the future of retail, the fundamental purpose of the shopping cart—whether digital or physical—remains the same: making the shopping process easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable.

So, whether you call it a shopping cart, trolley, buggy, or chariot, this retail icon continues to roll through history, adapting to new trends while remaining a vital part of how we shop.