I used to laugh at granny trolleys – now I stroll through town with one
29.7.2026
Translation: Elicia Payne
Pictures: Darina Schweizer
A shopping trolley? For ages, the first thing that came to mind when I heard this was: old people. Nowadays, I happily stroll through town with one.
«It’s a little embarrassing,» I think to myself as I leave the house with a shopping trolley for the first time. In the countryside where I grew up, only retirees had «granny trolleys». For me, they came before a walker. Another step toward retirement age.
But lugging my weekly groceries home like a pack mule? I wasn’t up for that when I moved to the city. I didn’t want to buy a car either, since I can get everywhere by public transport.
So I decided to buy a pull-along shopping trolley instead of a Chelsea tractor.
Somewhere between old banger and luxury vehicle
The Galaxus range of trolleys is huge: there are clunky things starting at 16 francs and luxury models for up to 400 francs. The trolley capacity ranges from 25 to over 100 litres. I decided on a nimble mid-size shopper: the Rolser Eco Pep 2L.
- Acceleration from 0 to 5 km/h in less than ten seconds
- 40-liter capacity
- Two-foot drive
- Lightweight chassis with an aluminium finish
- Convertible top
- Aerodynamic folding design
- Sustainable material architecture (made from 100 per cent recycled cotton and PET)
But how does the Rolser Eco Pep 2L – which I’ve affectionately dubbed the «Rolser Royce» – move?
First test drive
I’m at Migros at Enge Station in Zurich. I wind my way down the frozen food aisle and turn at the bakery corner. It’s noticeable how easy it is to steer and manoeuvre the trolley. The slim design is also an advantage when you’re between shelves.
But, I overestimated the capacity. The last two packs of cherry tomatoes didn’t fit. The bag’s in danger of sliding off the frame. I have to pull it up and adjust it again. And the bag lid, which is only held down by a metal ring, doesn’t completely close it either. A button or Velcro fastener would have been helpful. Looks like I have no choice but to pull it along with the top half-open.
Comfort from a to b
I start heading back home. I lift the trolley onto the bus. Everything is fine until the vehicle bumps along a rough stretch of road. The trolley is on the verge of tipping over. I reposition it sideways. For goodness’ sake, of all things! Still, it’s a bit more stable when it’s parallel to the direction of travel.
When the bus stops, I take my shopping trolley off the bus and roll it home. And the feeling of freedom is real – no sore upper arms, no cut fingers, no stopping for a rest.
It’s an uphill battle for Royce
But then I find myself facing an impossible obstacle: the stairs leading to our apartment. «Lift or pull?» I wonder. I’ll tackle the first flight of stairs using my strong muscles – if you can do push-ups, you should be able to lift a «granny’s trolley», surely? Yeh, not quite. The trolley’s way too heavy for two floors. So I pull it up to get to the next level, lean back slightly, pull again, and shift my weight forward once more. Like a poorly calibrated metronome, I sway my way up the stairs.
It isn’t until days later, when the trolley’s folded up and stowed away in the basement that I discover you can also buyoff-road models stair-climbing models with three wheels on each side. Well, well. It’s not the first time I’ve been wiser in hindsight. In the meantime we’ve decided we’ll carry Rolser Royce up the stairs together.
MOT passed – with room for improvement
To sum it up, the Rolser Eco Pep 2L has a few minor flaws. Other models from brands such as Andersen or reisenthel offer more – aside from the design – and in some cases even at the same price.
Still, it was worth the purchase. My Rolser Royce is a surprisingly comfortable city runabout that has made my daily life easier. I’ll never carry bags again. I don’t even need shopping baskets, since I scan and pack my groceries right away. My back and shoulders are grateful for it. And when I need to transport heavy loads like glass bottles, potting soil or packages, I simply slide the bag off the rack and secure everything to the frame with bungee cords.
Lashing straps + Securing equipment
EUR11,90
Mehr Garten Multifunktionale Spanngummis mit Kugel | 10er Set
I’ve moved past the idea that shopping trolleys are just for old people. Just as many young people as older people zip around town with them. And yes, men, too. My boss is one of them.
Nowadays, whenever I see someone struggling with shopping bags, all I can think is, «That’s a bit embarrassing, too.»
Would you use a granny trolley? Let us know in the comments.
In a nutshell
Goodbye, tote bags!
The Rolser Eco Pep 2L proves that shopping trolleys are no longer just for retirees. If you’re tired of lugging your groceries around, this lightweight, manoeuvrable and surprisingly stylish everyday helper could be something for you. With a capacity of 40 litres and a load capacity of up to 40 kilogrammes, it makes grocery shopping much more convenient. Depending on the load, however, it wobbles a bit on its wheels – partly because the loading area is too narrow – and the bag is only partially closed with a weighted metal ring. It’s also missing some kind of function to help you pull it up steps.
Pro
- Pretty
- Light-weight
- Made from 100 per cent recycled cotton and PET
- Space saving and foldable
- space-saving and foldable
Contra
- Not always sturdy
- No button or pull-string for closing the bag
- No step-climbing function
- Narrow loading area
Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI love everything with four legs or roots – especially my rescue cats Jasper and Joy and my collection of succulents. I’m happiest following the scent of stories about police dogs and cat groomers – or cultivating thoughtful tales in garden flea markets and Japanese gardens.
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