It’s fair to say the clunky shopping aids, released in 2023 as part of an environmentally friendly overhaul in both Coles and Woolworths, have not gone down well with many Aussies due to the impossibly hard to carry design. In fact, the carriers – which feature a single centre handle instead of the traditional two – have been so unpopular, some supermarkets resorted to putting out the old, discontinued baskets alongside the revamped version in a bid to curb customer complaints.
But now, after over three years of whinging (sorry, not sorry) Woolworths has listened to its customers, and has axed the single-handle shopping baskets we all hated. “In response to customer feedback, we are currently rolling out a new shopping basket with an enhanced ergonomic, twin handle design,” a spokesperson told news.com.au. “The new baskets have been designed with customer comfort and sustainability in mind – with each of the new baskets made from recycled materials, including at least 18 milk bottles.” One of the biggest gripes with the single-handle baskets was how difficult they were to carry, with the only comfortable (and we use that word reluctantly) position being balanced on a person’s elbow. But due to the one arm design, the weight of the basket was unevenly distributed, causing discomfort to users. When Coles rolled them out in February 2023, just a few months ahead of Woolies, customers had a lot to say about them. “I hate (and that’s a word I don’t often use) your new baskets. Seriously just one handle on them?” one wrote on Facebook.
Another said: “What the hell have you done with the baskets?! The new design are (sic) just awful, did you have anyone in the team look at ergonomics?” “I hate those baskets so much, they’re so much harder to carry, especially for women who might have less upper body strength or are trying to wrangle kids at the same time,” agreed someone else. As one mused: “It’s so awkward to try and carry while pushing a pram at the same time, or worse trying to get in and out of the shops with a toddler.” Just a few weeks ago, one person claimed, “There is a special spot reserved in the bad place for whoever introduced these baskets,” on Reddit, and received an overwhelming amount of support. “You can’t slide it up your arm anymore without your arm being forced out at a bizarre angle, so you’re stuck carrying it low in one hand like a giant, heavy bucket that strains your wrist,” replied one. “It’s so cumbersome, the most hated part of going grocery shopping,” raged another. Made from 100 per cent recycled plastic, the eco-friendly baskets were bigger than the predecessors, with the new two-handled variety made from the same green material.
Despite the fact the new two-handled version will not be fully available at Woolies stores across the country until September, social media has erupted. “Anyone else excited about the new baskets with the handles the right way around now. The redesign with the single handle going long ways just wasn’t great,” wrote one lucky shopper who found the new design at their local store already. “This is so good, I’m disabled and found the other ones almost impossible to use on days I was using my cane,” replied one. As one shared: “When I tuck the new ones under my arm the basket sticks out double as long, making it annoying to walk past people. I feel heaps more secure with the double handles.” Of course, there were some who still weren’t happy with the update. “Am I the only one who liked the one handle?
Man it’s like nobody else in the world knows how to hold a basket!?” snarked one. “Single handed is so much better,” agreed another.