How many trolleys can you fit into the average shelter?

trolly shelters

Not all shopping trolleys and trolley shelters are built the same, which makes it tricky to establish just how many trolleys can fit in a single shelter. Many manufacturers offer standard shelter sizes designed to fit a set number of average supermarket trolleys but, for many businesses, these standardised measurements are simply not practical. To understand trolley shelter capacity properly it’s important to consider the type of trolleys being used and the dimension restraints of the shelter’s location. Custom trolley shelters are often the best solution to ensure maximum storage capacity.

How many trolleys fit in the average trolley shelter?

Many average trolley shelters are designed to fit within a single standard car parking bay in order that they can be conveniently installed in shop and supermarket car parks. In the UK a standard parking bay is 2.4 metres wide and 4.8 metres long. The average trolley shelter would typically be a little smaller than this in order that it fits just inside the boundaries of a parking bay.

Shopping trolleys vary in length and width, but the most popular standard shopping trolley found in the UK is around 0.6 metres wide and 0.96 metres long, providing a basket capacity of 140 litres. Ten nested trolleys will typically create a length of around 2.7 metres. An average shelter that fits within a standard parking bay will therefore hold two rows of 18 trolleys at full capacity.

Should a supermarket require storage for more than 36 trolleys, it will typically install several shelters in different areas throughout its car park. However, this solution tends to work best for businesses with large, straightforward car parks and standard supermarket trolleys. Businesses located on unusually shaped or awkward grounds, those with small car parks, or those which use nonstandard shopping trolleys, may find that custom-built shelters offer a more efficient method for storing trolleys.

Choosing a trolley shelter for awkward spaces

Sometimes it is simply not possible to install a trolley shelter in a parking bay, as is common practice for many big supermarkets. Businesses with limited parking space are often reluctant to take up available bays with shelters. Furthermore, some businesses might have unusually shaped car parks where it is not practical or safe to install a trolley shelter in a bay, and instead would prefer to position a shelter close to the shop entrance.

In these instances, a bespoke trolley shelter is often the most effective solution. Here at Shelter Solutions we design and manufacture trolley shelters to each client’s unique requirements. Not only can we make shelters to exacting size specifications, but we can also create shelters with unusual shapes for locations where a typical rectangular shelter is simply not practical.

In locations where trolley shelters are at risk of getting bumped by vehicles, such as in awkward car parks were room to manoeuvre is very tight, we can customise glazing to minimise the risk of damage. 4mm polycarbonate is the standard glazing method for most of our shelters, but where extra strength is necessary we can use 6mm toughened safety glass.

Trolley shelter capacity for nonstandard trolleys

While most standard 140-litre supermarket trolleys are around 0.6 metres wide and 0.96 metres long, many businesses require different sizes and shapes to suit the shopping needs of their customers.

For example, it is not uncommon for supermarkets to provide a limited number of shallow trolleys for customers doing smaller shops or for those who want to avoid bending whilst shopping. Many customers also require trolleys with child or baby seats or need trolleys that are designed for use with a wheelchair. Wholesale businesses often offer flatbed trolleys, trolleys with multiple tiers, and extra-large capacity trolleys which are significantly bigger than standard supermarket trolleys. Garden centres and hardware stores also often have unique trolleys with large, low baskets and large wheels to allow customers to transport bulky, heavy and awkward products with ease.

Each variety of trolley has unique dimensions and, usually, only same-type trolleys can be nested together. As a result, it is often not possible to install standard 2.4 by 4.8-metre trolley shelters when nonstandard trolleys or a variety of trolley types are in use. In these instances, custom-built shelters are the most efficient solution. A business could install a range of shelter shapes and sizes, each one designed for a different type of trolley. Alternatively, it could install a custom-shaped shelter that is equipped to store several different trolley types in one place.

Weighing up customer experience and shelter capacity

An important factor to consider when assessing trolley shelter capacity is the customer shopping experience. While it might seem tempting to install a single large trolley shelter that houses all trolleys in one place, this may not be practical for customers who do not want to have to walk too far to return their trolley.

Businesses with very large car parks often come up against the problem of customers abandoning trolleys throughout the car park because the trolley shelter is too far from their parking bays. In these instances, it is wise to install several small trolley shelters throughout the car park for convenient trolley returns and a larger shelter close to the entrance for customers to easily grab a trolley as they head in to shop.

It’s also important to ensure that there is adequate space for customers to manoeuvre trolleys in and out of shelters. A shelter that is too narrow to comfortably house several rows of nested trolleys can lead to trolleys getting stuck, which is not only frustrating for customers but potentially unsafe too. Try to ensure your shelter is more likely to be under capacity rather than over capacity for a good customer experience.

Contact Shelter Solutions for perfect trolley shelter sizing

To maximise your business’s trolley storage, be sure to get in touch about our 100% aluminium profile trolley shelters. Our shelters come with a 15-year anti-rust guarantee and each one is custom-built to suit the unique needs of your business.