The hook on your shopping trolley is designed to hold reusable bags

Updated 16:43 8 Oct 2026 GMT+1Published 14:57 31 Jan 2023 GMT

Some shoppers already knew about the 'trolley hack', while others were mind-blown that it took them this long to discover it

Shopping trolleys.

We’ve all used them, we’ve all wrestled with the wonky wheels, and we’ve all experienced that extremely embarrassing moment when one suddenly decides it’s going left despite your best efforts to steer it right.

But have you ever wondered what those protruding hooks on the handlebars are actually for?

Well, there’s a very simple explanation.

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Do you know what the hook on your shopping trolley is actually for? (Getty Stock Images)

Anyone who's in favour of a hefty weekly shop will no doubt know how pesky it can be knowing where to dump your various bags for life as you peruse the aisles around a supermarket.

But, unbeknownst to many people out there, there's a very quick fix to this age-old dilemma, as the hooks are actually where you're supposed to hang your reusable bags.

The hack was uploaded by Woolworths Australia (ah, remember them?) to their own TikTok account a few years back.

In the short video, a Woolworths employee said: "Woolworths trolley hack.

"On the back of every trolley there is a courtesy hook so you can hang your hat or your reusable bags, so you don't have to carry them around the store."

Many social media users were quick to run to the comment section of the video, with some admitting that they never realised the hook was a thing.

One person said: "I was pleased when I discovered that hook. And I do hang my shopping bags there."

While a second thought it was common knowledge: "I thought everyone knew that."

The hack was also posted by New Zealand MP Deborah Russell, who shared a picture of herself using the trolley hook on X.

Some shoppers already knew about the 'trolley hack', while others were mind-blown that it took them this long to discover it (Getty Stock Images)

In a tweet posted in 2019, the Labour MP said: "Shopping trolley innovation: a handy hook for bags."

In replies to the tweet, many people said they were unaware of it, while others said that the hook wasn't there for them in shops nearby.

One user wrote: "I only just discovered that like only a month ago - and I've been using trolleys for years... who woulda known huh."

A second added: "Yes! It’s amazing how many people don’t know what they are for, though. Truly confusing to watch all those bags in trolleys."

And a third remarked: "Excellent, so much of the trolley is taken up by bags."

While another user was a little less impressed and said: "Another utterly astounding 'hack'/'I had NO IDEA OMG' video on FB as, this time, some genius discovers that the bag hook on a shopping trolley is in actual fact a hook for hanging bags.

"Never mind New Year motivations; I could probably power myself through this entire year with the white-hot rage I feel for folk discovering products' intended uses several decades into their ridiculous lives."

Well, the more you know - eh?

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: Shopping, Life Hacks, Life, Real Life