Forgetting the humble £1 coin can bring a British supermarket shop to a grinding halt before it's even begun. But a viral social media revelation has shown there's a remarkably simple solution already in your pocket.
The Game-Changing Trolley Trick
In a post that has since amassed thousands of likes, Instagram user Sophie, who runs the account @lookinsidemygarden, demonstrated the clever workaround. She filmed herself at a Lidl supermarket attempting to release a trolley not with a coin, but with a standard door key.
"I can't believe this worked," she wrote in the caption, expressing a common frustration. "Does anyone else get to the supermarket and forget your coin? Or like me your special coin keyring sometimes doesn't work." To her surprise, the key slid into the coin slot and unlocked the trolley mechanism seamlessly. "So I thought I would try my luck and BOOM, we're in," she added.
Public Reaction and Widespread Approval
The clip, posted on January 20, 2026, quickly resonated with shoppers across the UK. The video was overlaid with the text "No trolley coin, no problem..." and prompted a flood of comments from grateful and impressed users.
Many hailed the idea as "brilliant" and "genius," while others shared that they had been using the method for years. "Use the key at the other end, it thinks it's a coin. Been doing this years," one seasoned shopper advised. The hack also sparked relief from those who had previously resorted to awkwardly asking for help in-store. "Omg! I'll try this, in the past I've had to go in the shop and ask if I can have a trolley!" another user commented.
However, a note of caution was also present, with one commenter admitting, "I've always been scared to do that in case my key breaks." The hack clearly taps into a universal minor annoyance of modern shopping.
A Simple End to a Common Nuisance
This straightforward life hack effectively solves a recurring problem for consumers. Most trolleys in UK supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, and others require a pound coin or a dedicated trolley token to release them from the interlocking chain, a system designed to ensure trolleys are returned.
The revelation that the rounded end of a typical Yale-style key can mimic the size and function of a £1 coin is a small but significant piece of consumer wisdom. It means that being caught without change no longer needs to disrupt a planned big shop or a trip where a trolley seat is essential for a young child.
For the foreseeable future, this trick stands as a handy piece of knowledge for any shopper. It turns an everyday item into a reliable backup, ensuring you're never stranded in the supermarket car park again.
