Econ question. Why has the average size of shopping carts increased over time?

Answer 1

Conjecture (assuming fact alleged is true):

1. Retailing has become more consolidated (e.g. more Wal-Marts), in central areas, raising transport costs. Also raising transport costs in recent years are higher gas prices. Fewer shopping trips and more goods per trip.

2. Consolidation has reduced competition, raising the premium on price discrimination (i.e. quantity discounts). Hence people are encouraged to buy in bulk.

Answer 2

I think a lot of things are done to encourage people to buy a certain product or perhaps spend more money while shopping. Often these things work on the hidden aspects of the mind which translates into an action that benefits the ecomomic enterprise or entity.

I guess that most people will shop until they fill up the cart completely so a larger cart will hold more and require more money to be spent at the check out counter.

Answer 3

its very simple carts were smaller before because they wanted it for helping carry things and they have evolved the mind over matter to the consumer to say fill it up and now with the cost increases people are size conscious of the amount of item they purchase choosing notto fill the cart so with the bigger cart people will see it not as full and relate to lower cost when in fact due to price increases now less in thecart means more for the sellers like Walmart and Kroger etc

Answer 4

There is an obvious retail reason.
Fill it up!
Or, more room for the purse and child's carrier.
Or since packaging takes up more room, you might not smash the eggs or bread.
Or to make sure that there is room for that case of water you have to have.

Answer 5

With more two income households people shop less often, so they buy more on each trip.

Answer 6

Alot of stuff we buy now is 'supersized', so we need more room!

Answer 7

People buy more food today because they eat more food today.

Answer 8

To get you to buy more stuff!