Basket bandits: 3.3 million Aussies have stolen a basket or trolley from the supermarket
A surprising number of Aussie shoppers have gone rogue with supermarket baskets or trolleys in the past year, according to new research by Finder.
A Finder survey of 1,062 respondents revealed 16% – equivalent to 3.3 million people – have stolen a basket or trolley from the supermarket in the past 12 months.
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The research found 6% couldn't be bothered to put it back, while the same amount (6%) were fueled by frustration.
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Saving money on bag fees (3%), using it for future shopping trips (3%), and taking it for a cruise with friends (3%) were other reasons shoppers opted out of returning their basket or trolley.
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This comes as almost 2 in 5 (38%) Australians rate their groceries among their top 3 most stressful expenses.
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Rebecca Pike, money expert at Finder, said some shoppers are acting out as the cost of living hits wallets hard.
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"Whether it's a bad habit, or a rebellious act, a concerning amount of Aussies are leaving supermarkets without returning their basket or trolley.
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"You can bet if the trend continues, grocers will take more extreme measures to protect their property."
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Gen Z were the worst offenders, with 30% admitting to stealing a basket or trolley from the supermarket, compared to 21% of gen Y and 10% of gen X.
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Pike said supermarkets are cracking down on theft in supermarkets.
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"Anti-theft technology has been installed in many supermarkets as the cost of living continues to wreak havoc.
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"Multiple security measures have been enforced to stop shoppers in their tracks."
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Pike said there are ways you can cut back on your grocery shop without resorting to petty theft.
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"Invest in some reusable shopping bags which you can use every time you shop.
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"Impulse buys are budget killers. Make a list, stick to it, and avoid those tempting treats at the checkout.
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"Check catalogues, compare prices online, and don't be afraid to shop around for the best deals," Pike said.
| Have you removed a basket or trolley from the supermarket and not returned it in the past 12 months? | |
|---|---|
| Yes, I haven't returned a basket/trolley because I couldn't be bothered to take it back | 6% |
| Yes, I haven't returned a basket/trolley because I was annoyed with the supermarket | 6% |
| Yes, I haven't returned a basket/trolley to save money on paper bags | 3% |
| Yes, I haven't returned a basket/trolley because I want to ensure I have one next time I shop | 3% |
| Yes, I haven't returned a trolley because I wanted to push my friends around in it | 3% |
| Yes, I haven't returned a basket/trolley so I could walk my groceries home instead of unloading them into a car | 2% |
| I have done none of the above | 84% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,062 respondents, June 2024 |
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,062 respondents from June 2024.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics, an SAP company.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
Here are some ways you can save money on your groceries!
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Sources
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