Hygiene in supermarket trolleys and baskets

Think of a normal day in your supermarket. Hundreds of customers. Hundreds of hands. And a trolley that passes from one to another non-stop.

Cleaning protocols are essential, but between one cleaning and the next, the surfaces of trolleys and baskets remain exposed. In that interval, bacteria can multiply and build up on the most frequently touched surfaces: handles, frames, grids.

The question is: is there anything we can do beyond cleaning more often?

The answer is yes. And at Shop & Roll we’ve been working on it for some time.

What is built-in antimicrobial protection?

Antimicrobial technology built into the product is a solution that acts continuously on the surface of the trolley or basket, inhibiting the growth of bacteria, fungi and mould without requiring any additional action from store staff.

Specifically, at Shop & Roll we use Biomaster technology, based on silver ions, a component recognised for centuries for its antimicrobial properties and with no known harmful effects on people.

«Biomaster protection can’t be seen, smelled or felt. But it works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the product’s entire useful life.»

How exactly does it work?

Biomaster technology acts through three simultaneous mechanisms on bacteria:

1. It binds to the bacterial cell wall, interrupting its growth.
2. It interferes with cellular energy production, blocking the enzymes bacteria need to survive.
3. It disrupts bacterial DNA replication, preventing it from reproducing.

This triple mechanism of action makes it effective even against antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) or VRE (vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus).

What’s more, unlike other systems, Biomaster does not use silver nanotechnology, which has been ruled out due to safety concerns in everyday contact applications.

What concrete benefits does it bring to your store?

• Reduced bacterial load between cleanings, complementing — not replacing — standard hygiene protocols.
• Active protection around the clock, with no need for additional applications or special maintenance.
• Effective throughout the product’s entire useful life: the protection is built into the material and doesn’t wash off, wear away or leach out with use.
• Total safety: tested under the ISO 22196 standard, with inhibition results of up to 99.99% of bacterial growth.
• Compatible with food and water applications, making it 100% safe for high-traffic consumer environments.
• Doesn’t alter the product: no odour, no taste, no visual change.
• Materials treated with Biomaster can be recycled without complications.

Trolleys and baskets with Biomaster protection carry the identifying seal. If your current equipment doesn’t have it, it’s time to ask yourself what’s happening on the surfaces between one cleaning and the next.

Why isn’t cleaning more often enough?

Cleaning is necessary, but it has its limits: it requires time, staff, products and a frequency that’s hard to maintain in many high-traffic stores. What’s more, hours can pass between two cleanings.

Built-in antimicrobial protection acts precisely in that window of time. It doesn’t replace cleaning; it complements it. It’s a second line of defence that works continuously and silently, without anyone needing to remember to activate it.

In high-footfall environments — supermarkets, hypermarkets, large stores — this extra layer of protection has a real impact on hygiene at the point of sale and, ultimately, on the customer experience.

How to recognise a product with Biomaster protection

All Shop & Roll products with built-in Biomaster protection carry the brand’s identifying symbol. It’s the guarantee that the technology has been correctly incorporated into the manufacturing process and that the product has been tested under international standards.

If you’re unsure whether your current equipment has this protection, or if you’re considering a fleet renewal, our team can advise you on which models include this technology and which best suit your store’s needs.

Do you have trolleys and baskets that should already be better protected?

At Shop & Roll we’ve spent years designing shopping transport solutions built for the most demanding environments. If you’d like to know more about our antimicrobial-protection range, contact our team or visit our updated catalogue.

👉 Download the 2026 catalogue or contact us at www.shopandroll.es