Adopt-a-trolley movement recycles abandoned trolleys

South African online retailer, takealot.com has taken responsibility for the thousands of shopping trolleys that have been put out of commission since 2011, due to the rise of e-commerce in South Africa. [video]

A documentary video released on 3 September attributes the demise of the shopping trolley to the website's customer-focused ability to outperform traditional bricks-and-mortar stores in terms of service and speed of delivery.

In advance of this week's annual SA eCommerce Awards, the site has launched the adopt-a-trolley initiative that aims at giving shopping trolleys a renewed purpose in life either through a virtual adoption or through a bespoke order.

Head of Marketing, Declan Hollywood said these repurposed trolleys would be available on a made-to-order basis at the newly acquired online store, Superbalist.com.

"Superbalist is known as the curated, design and apparel centred online retailer, which is focused on the millennial generation, so we feel this would be the best suited platform for these repurposed chairs."

The site will also be partnering with celebrities to sign repurposed shopping trolley chairs that will be auctioned off for charities of their choosing. Local celebrities such as Jack Parow and Jeremy Loops have already expressed their interest, and will be placing their orders for a repurposed trolley that is fitting to their unique personalities!

Hollywood challenged its e-commerce competitors to join the movement and add their voice to the adopt-a-trolley movement! By downloading the adopt-a-trolley app, shoppers will receive a R50 voucher to redeem at takealot.com.