Dog owners really love their dogs. If allowed to, they would probably take them everywhere with them. Now, a store in Italy has made it easier to take them grocery shopping with you. Not only has the move made local dog owners happier, it has also increased the store’s profits.

And it was all due to one little design change.

Making it easier for dog owners to shop

Gianfranco Galantini, the owner of Unes in Luino, Italy, came up with the idea after seeing dogs waiting for their owners to shop outside the front of the store. He thought that the dog owners would be more apt to take more time shopping, and thus buy more if it was easier to take their dogs inside with them.

That was when he came up with the design for a shopping cart that would allow small dog owners to shop with their furry companions right there with them. No more would they have to hurry to get back outside to their pets. A few weeks later, the specially designed carts were ready.

A new shopping cart design

Each of the special “dog” carts was outfitted with a partition. On one side sits the dog, while on the other side the patrons place their groceries. There is also a flat partition on the side where the dog sits to make it more comfortable for them to sit, stand, or move around.

“The owners of small dogs can now avoid having to leave them outside, giving them peace of mind to take all the time they need to make their purchases,” Galantini told La Repubblica. “The initiative launched just recently, but we’ve already noticed how much our customers appreciate it.”

Encouraging dog owners to take their pets inside with them

This grocery store has special carts so that dogs can shop too. Not a bad idea! 🐶 https://t.co/U5d6MpFrSP pic.twitter.com/ppq7RfF3We

— The Dodo (@dodo) April 14, 2016

While owners could already legally take their dogs into the store with them in Italy, the new carts make this so much easier. Galantini has even found that his new carts have encouraged dog owners to take advantage of their right to take their pets inside with them.

The carts are cleaned after every use and so far, the canines have been enjoying their ride around the store. One dog did bark initially but calmed down once his owner started pushing the cart. And the new dog carts so far haven’t caused any problems with other customers.

The carts have been a hit with Galantini’s customers

The carts have been a hit with Galantini’s customers. In fact, Galantini has even been contacted by corporate management about his carts. They want to introduce the popular carts to other Unes locations across Italy.

And who knows, someday the carts might even make their way to other countries around the world. If restrictions on dogs are ever lifted in stores in the U.S., this could become the next big trend.

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Sources: The Animal Rescue Site, La Repubblica