Shopping Cart Remanufacturing vs. Reconditioning: Retailers’ Guide to Optimizing Cart Maintenance

In the fast-paced world of retail, maintaining operational efficiency and providing an exceptional customer experience are paramount. Shopping carts play a critical role in both. They are often your customers’ initial point of contact at a store—the first impression. With constant use and exposure to the elements, these vital assets can quickly show signs of wear and tear, affecting functionality and aesthetics.

Deciding how best to maintain your fleet is a strategic decision that impacts cost, customer satisfaction, and store image. Two options exist at Peggs: shopping cart remanufacturing and reconditioning. Understanding the differences between these processes is essential for making an informed choice that aligns with your organization’s needs and budget.

Remanufacturing is a comprehensive restoration process that restores shopping carts to “like-new” condition. It addresses structural issues and cosmetic imperfections, extending the cart’s lifespan and ensuring it meets original functional and safety standards.

Peggs offers a significant advantage over other cart refurbishment programs in the industry.

As a manufacturer of shopping cart parts for over 60 years, we have the ability to repair, rebuild, and remanufacture carts that other companies cannot, achieving a 98% salvage rate.

Inspection: Each cart undergoes a thorough inspection to identify all areas of wear, damage, or failure, and repairs are made. Any carts in your fleet deemed unusable at this stage are responsibly recycled.

Surface Treatment: Carts are cleaned, stripped, and powder-coated.

Component Assembly: Replacement of components as specified by the retailer includes wheels, handles, seats, seat belts, and optional bumpers.

Final Inspection: Guarantees the cart meets brand, quality, and ASTM Standards for safety.

Extended Lifespan: This restores carts to like-new condition, extending their lifespan 5-7 years and includes the same warranty as new carts. Carts can be remanufactured up to four times.

Cost Savings: Remanufactured carts cost up to 50% less than new carts.

Enhanced Safety: Addresses all structural issues and ensures carts meet ASTM safety standards, reducing liability and providing customer and employee safety.

Improved Customer Experience: Ensures carts meet brand standards functionally and aesthetically for a positive customer experience.

Severe Wear or Damage: This is ideal for significantly worn or damaged carts. It is a long-term investment, often for full fleets, as remanufactured carts will stand out if mixed in among an aged fleet.

Long-Term Cost Efficiency: A cost-saving component of a comprehensive shopping cart Pool Program.

Brand Image: When presenting a high-quality customer experience and store environment is a priority.

Reconditioning focuses on refreshing the cart’s appearance and functionality, modestly extending its life. It’s quicker and less costly than remanufacturing, and it includes paint touch-up and the replacement of high-visibility components.

Inspection: Identifies minor damages and areas needing attention.

Cleaning: Removes dirt, grime, and superficial rust. Rusted areas are lightly painted to help seal exposed steel and prevent future rusting.

Alignment & Repairs: Carts are thoroughly inspected for damage and repaired as needed. Wear items such as wheels are replaced as needed. All carts are realigned to ensure that they roll smoothly and straight.

Based on the retailer’s preference, different tiers of reconditioning and branding are offered:

Good: Carts are safe, clean, and operational. Plastic components are only replaced as needed.
Better: Plastic components replaced for immediate aesthetic improvements, including handles and baby seats.
Best: Common wear items such as wheels, casters, child restraints, and bumpers are replaced, improving overall cart aesthetics, proactively extending their service life, and reducing the frequency of maintenance.

Final Inspection: Ensures the cart meets ASTM Standards for safety and is functional for continued use.

Cost-Effective: Lower upfront costs compared to remanufacturing.

Quick Turnaround: Less time-intensive, reducing cart downtime.

Improved Functionality and Appearance: Enhances customer experience and brand consistency without significant investment.

Minor Wear and Tear: Suitable for carts that are generally in good condition.

Budget Constraints: Lower upfront cost, may require more frequent services.

Interim Solution: As a stop-gap measure before more extensive remanufacturing or replacement.