• Please Return Trolley’ campaign has seen a 67% drop in number of trolleys lost.
• Success of campaign due to increased number of shoppers who return trolleys and public alerts on abandoned trolleys.

NTUC FairPrice (FairPrice) and the Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) are pleased to announce that the ongoing campaign urging shoppers to be gracious and return their grocery trolleys has shown positive results. Part of the campaign included putting up educational posters at key points like the exits to the supermarkets, taxi stands and carparks to remind shoppers. Following the joint appeal from the two organisations early last year, FairPrice has seen a 67 percent drop in the number of lost trolleys in 2010 compared with the previous year.

The success of the “Please Return Trolley” campaign has been due to an increase in the number of shoppers returning their trolleys, greater awareness, and public alerts on abandoned trolleys. In 2010, FairPrice received close to 300 telephone calls, emails and posts on social media platforms on abandoned trolley sightings. This is over five times more feedback on trolley sightings compared to the previous year.

Mr Gerry Lee, Managing Director (Business Groups), NTUC FairPrice said, “It is heartening to see our customers making an effort to create a better shopping environment for all. We know that customers already agree that it is the responsibility of shoppers to return shopping trolleys and are encouraged that they are taking action to do so. With increased support from our customers, we hope to further cultivate responsible and considerate shopping behaviour.”

Earlier in February 2010, FairPrice announced the findings from an independent survey to identify shoppers’ attitude towards trolley return and assess possible new measures that could mitigate the problem. The findings revealed that 90% of shoppers agreed that it is the shoppers’ responsibility to return shopping trolleys after use. They also agree that non-return of trolleys cause inconvenience to other shoppers. Laziness was cited as the top reason for not returning shopping trolleys.

Mr Teh Thien Yew, General Manager, Singapore Kindness Movement said, “I am glad that the public is responding positively to the campaign and we hope they will continue to spread the kindness message. Remember to return the trolley after use so that the next shopper who needs it gets to use it too.”

Over the years, FairPrice has implemented several measures to address this persistent and industry wide problem. This included being the first supermarket to implement the $1 coin system in 1994 which is still widely used today. It also set up additional trolley return bays at taxi stands and car parks, as well as piloted various innovative measures such as the Radlock system. In 2010, FairPrice stepped up its public education efforts in partnership with the Singapore Kindness Movement to appeal to the public to cultivate responsible and considerate shopping behaviour.

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About Singapore Kindness Movement

Kindness is in everyone. The Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) wants to encourage everyone to start, show and share kindness. We aspire to inspire graciousness one kind act at a time. By sparing a thought for the people around us, we hope to create a gracious society, and make life better for you and me.

To help build a gracious Singapore, the Singapore Kindness Movement aims to encourage the individual to internalise courtesy, kindness and consideration. Our mission statement is ‘To inspire graciousness through spontaneous acts of kindness, making life more pleasant for everyone’.