Italian supermarket chain Conad has launched the trial of a disposable handle cover for shopping trolleys as part of its efforts to comply with COVID-19 hygiene regulations.
‘Keeper’ is a disposable, recyclable plastic-free product made from FSC-certified cardboard, according to a report in Il Resto del Carlino.
Shoppers can access the product free of charge from the dispensers at Conad outlets and place the product on the handle of the trolley, creating a protective barrier.
Initially, the retailer aims to introduce 'Keeper' in 14 Conad hypermarkets, supermarkets and superstores in Forlì and surrounding areas.
The patent is owned by Forli-based, Grafiche Mdm, which is collaborating with Conad regional member Cia-Conad for the launch.
If the product launch proves successful, Cia-Conad plans to gradually extend it to its entire store network.
Other Efforts
Another Italian retailer investing in shopping cart hygiene is Valtellina-based Iperal, which operates hypermarkets and supermarkets in eight provinces of the Lombardy region.
Iperal has opted for the ‘Hygienic Cart’, produced and marketed by Hygienic Srl, which allows users to sanitise their cart fully and personally in just five seconds.
The retailer has installed the new trolley sanitizer at the entrance of the Cassina de' Pecchi supermarket, according to the local newspaper Gazzetta di Sondrio.
The ‘Hygenic Cart’ is a certified product that guarantees 99% reduction of bacteria and viruses, the report added.
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
