Tesco shoppers fume over 'impractical' and 'awkward' new change in supermarket stores

The supermarket chain has introduced new trolleys into its stores which appear to be designed with left-handed people in mind - which is only around 10% of the population

Tesco has made a huge change to its supermarket trolleys - and customers are not happy about it.

The supermarket chain has introduced new trolleys into its stores which appear to be designed with left-handed people in mind. The new trolleys in some Tesco stores have the slot for the portable barcode scanner on the left which right-handed Brits have said is a tad impractical.

One Tesco shopper took to X - formerly Twitter - to share their annoyance with the move. They said: "I’m mad at Tesco because in our local supermarket they have changed the trolleys so that the self scan gun is on the left and it’s so awkward when you are right-handed." Another said: "I'm intrigued @Tesco if 90% of people are right handed, why is the self scanner holder on the left hand side??"

A third added: "@Tesco can you tell me why all your shopping trolleys have the self scanning holder now on the left hand side?? It drives me nuts, surely most ppl are right handed." Another posted to Facebook and described the change as "awfully impractical" Another added: "“Appreciate the new trolleys, but why the F are the holders for the scanners on the wrong side?”

A fifth person said they "appreciated" the new trolleys but noted that the change was "very annoying". They said: "Dear @tesco please don't get me wrong, I really do appreciate the new trolleys at my local store, but given most people are right-handed, WHY would you move the self-scanning holder to the left of the trolley? It's VERY annoying, but granted not life changing. Thought I'd share."

However, others clapped back at the complainers saying the move wasn't actually that big of a deal. One person posted to X: "Making a song and dance out of everything, FGS stand to the left of the trolly when filling it. Then it's a right handed application too." Another added: "I’m right handed but don’t mind the change. Hold the zapper in your left hand whilst picking the item to be zapped with your right. Job done."

A third said: "Tesco makes shopping easier for left-handed customers by redesigning their trolleys! This thoughtful change ensures a more comfortable and efficient shopping experience for everyone. #Accessibility #Inclusivity #Tesco." According to one study by the University of Nottingham, only around 10% of the population are left-handed.

Professor Chris McManus, author of Right Hand, Left Hand waded into the conversation and told the Sun: “Historically, many items have been biased so that they are easier for right-handers to use. Designers have though been very successful in recent years at making objects ambidextrous so anyone can use them, and that is surely the ideal.” It is understood that the supermarket chain is considering feedback on the new trolleys. The Mirror has approached Tesco for comment.