Parents have a huge problem with Coles' new kids feature

"This is my worst nightmare," one mum said.

Coles has rolled out a new feature in its newly opened store in Surry Hills Village in Sydney, but it's already dividing shoppers.

The supermarket has launched mini trolleys, designed for kids to push around the store and keep them entertained by letting them "help" with grocery shopping.

But while the idea, which isn't new and already exists in some Bunnings stores, sounds like a fun idea on paper— not every parent is thrilled with the prospect. 

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Image: Yahoo

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The mini Coles trolleys

One local mum spotted the pint-size trolleys in action, sharing her initial thoughts with Yahoo Australia: "I saw two little girls having the best time pushing these trolleys down the aisles, it looked like their parents were giving them items to retrieve off the shelves.

"I can't wait to bring my son in so he can have a go."

The idea has proven popular overseas, with mini trolleys appearing in UK supermarkets, but the concept has yet to take off fully in Australia. 

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"I am officially done with shopping forever"

Many parents already find shopping with children challenging, and the idea of adding an extra trolley to the mix is already causing concern.

Mum-of-two, Leah told Kidspot: "The moment I go into Bunnings, I dread my kids asking to get their own trolley. I want to zip around easily and not worry about them bumping into people in the pot aisle! Now they think this is a good idea in the supermarket? Who made this decision? I don't think they're a parent and we need to have words."

"If parents then allow the kids to take their own items through self checkout, I am officially done with shopping forever. Woolies I hope you're listening!" she added.

Nama echoed these concerns, saying, "Forget about the extra work this would create for parents trying to just bloody get their shop done, what about all the people sans kids with the significantly increased risk of their ankles being rammed, feet being run over, having to restrain themselves from screaming at random small kids... I mean, which lawyer approved this... Elle Woods?

"I think this is a strategic ploy as an attempt at in-store crowd control because as it is, going into a supermarket as opposed to shopping online is traumatic as it is!"

"I can foresee troubles when the kids want to fill their trolley with stuff they want," says Liz. "I don't need more arguments with them about food items we can and cant get - it's hard enough already!"

"Not a playground for kids"

The sentiment was similar online, with one parent recounting a negative past experience with kids pushing trolleys.

"Shouldn’t be allowed! Many a time years ago I had my toes run over by kids with these trolleys! The parents don’t care as long as the kids are out of their hair while they do their shopping!" they said.

And others also thought it sounded like utter chaos: "All good until some irresponsible parent lets their children run up the back of someone trying to do their shopping and get the hell out without playing 'dodgem trolleys'."

"Supermarkets are not playgrounds for kids. Who’s going to be responsible if little Mary is running around and gets hit by a worker pushing a cage?" a third quipped.

One more shopper vented their frustration with how mini trolleys can be abused, adding, "Can't stand people who let their kids 'shop', filling the mini trolleys and then just dumping it all at the registers. If you have no intention of buying it, leave it on the shelves!"

Not all doom and gloom

While many people dreaded the thought of navigating both their own and their child's trolley, some saw the benefit.

"My local fruit shop has them. My grandson loves them," said one grandparent. "Was in the shop one day and a little girl was with her grandma. She was so excited and wanted to come back again."

Others agreed, praising the trolleys for keeping their kids engaged. "My local had a couple until about six months ago. My son loved them and it made shopping easier for both of us. And for the grinches having a whinge, he never ran into anyone and never got in the way with it when he used it," someone shared.

What do you think of the new mini trolleys in Coles? Tell us in the poll above or in the Facebook comments. 

Originally published as Parents have a huge problem with Coles' new kids feature