A Finder survey of 1062 respondents reveals 16% – equivalent to 3.3 million Australians – have stolen a basket or trolley from the supermarket in the past 12 months.
The research finds 6% couldn’t be bothered to put it back, while the same amount were fuelled by frustration.
Saving money on bag fees (3%), using it for future shopping trips (3%), and taking it for a cruise with friends (3%) were other reasons shoppers opted out of returning their basket or trolley.
This comes as almost two in five (38%) surveyed Australians rate their groceries among their top three most stressful expenses.
Rebecca Pike, money expert at Finder, says some shoppers are acting out as the cost of living hits wallets hard.
“Whether it’s a bad habit, or a rebellious act, a concerning amount of Aussies are leaving supermarkets without returning their basket or trolley,” she says.
According to Finder’s survey, Gen Z were the worst offenders, with 30% admitting to stealing a basket or trolley from the supermarket, compared to 21% of Gen Y and 10% of Gen X.
Ms Pike says supermarkets are cracking down on theft in supermarkets.
“Anti-theft technology has been installed in many supermarkets as the cost of living continues to wreak havoc,” she says. “Multiple security measures have been enforced to stop shoppers in their tracks.”
