One of the hardest things about lock down and the curfew was getting our groceries and the things we needed in a pinch. We normally don’t think twice about popping into the supermarket or stopping at random baqalas. However, when the world shut down we felt lost. A lot of our delivery and convenience store options became inaccessible, and that is where Trolley stepped in.
The chain of convenience stores was founded in 2010 and branches have been popping up in private universities and malls. But the real game changer was when they started making their way to gas stations. With over 50 branches, there is likely going to be a branch near you, some of which operated 24/7 during this pandemic.
When you spot the bright orange sign you know that your day is about to get much better. The stores offer a large range of everyday items and necessities. Our favorite thing is their ready-made food section. Freshly made meals from different brands sits cheerfully in the Trolley fridge. The range is quite varied and works for whatever your dietary needs are. You can grab Keto, Paleo or vegetarian dishes, that are clearly marked with nutritional information. During lock down when getting fresh produce was difficult, we could always find a crunchy colorful salad at Trolley. We also stocked up on sandwiches, wraps and packed lunches. You can also order via Talabat, Carriage or Jeebley, but we love browsing the aisles.
Trolley was one of the first brands to recognize the importance of hygiene during the pandemic. They quickly responded by limiting the number of customers inside stores, offering hand sanitizer at entry and exit and checking customer’s temperature at the door even before these precautions became mandatory. The staff can also be seen regularly disinfecting their hands before and after serving each customer.
You can even pick up masks, gloves, face shields and hand sanitizers in every bottle size imaginable. And don’t forget about pre-COVID-19 personal hygiene. You can find the essentials like toothpaste, toothbrushes, band aids and wet wipes.
Trolley is a lifesaver when it comes to these important basics, but they can also save you from boredom. Every store stocks a fun selection of board and card games that are perfect for passing the long hours of curfew. Many of the games featured were designed by local game makers, making them even more interesting and relevant to us.
That’s not all. We were all reliant on our phones and devices to connect us to our friends and family so a busted charging cable was a disaster especially that the big electronics retailers were closed or only able to deliver after 3-5 days. No need to fret, you can find cables, plugs, power banks and other phone accessories at most Trolley branches too.
We came to rely on Trolley and their friendly staff, but we also kept going back to stock up on our favorite snacks, candy and drinks. We even tried new coffee blends and protein bars. And our new favorite obsession is the frozen cookie dough that you can bake at home. Who knew that baking a single cookie when the cravings hit would be the most beautiful thing in the world?
To find a Trolley near you visit trolley.com.kw or order online via Talabat, Carriage, Deliveroo, Mashkor and Jeebley. Follow them on Instagram @trolley_kw for more information. Images courtesy of Trolley.
