700 Technibilt Dr, Newton, NC 28658 | 828.464.7388 | www.carolinescart.

com

W. Craig Jelinek, Chief Executive Officer

Richard A. Galanti, Chief Financial Officer
Costco Wholesale Corporation
999 Lake Dr
Issaquah, WA 98027

Dear Mr. Jelinek and Mr. Galanti,

Per your request, I am submitting a proposal for Costco Corporation to consider purchasing
our product, Carolines Cart, for your wholesale stores. Carolines Cart is a shopping cart
designed for children and adults up to 250lbs who have special needs.
Carolines Cart provides parents and caregivers a viable alternative to having to maneuver
both a shopping cart and a wheelchair at the same time. This cart offers an equal opportunity
shopping experience for the more than 1.6 million children with disabilities and their families.
The freedom offered by this product marks yet another milestone in mainstreaming individuals
with special needs into society.
By offering such a wonderful service in your stores, customer loyalty is sure to be
strengthened and will present your corporation as a champion in the rights of individuals with
disabilities.

Sincerely,
Patricia A. Jarvis
Customer Service Representative, Carolines Cart

Introduction
For the families and caregivers of the more than 1.6 million children who are disabled or have
special needs, a quick trip to the grocery store is not something to be taken for granted.
Arrangements must be made for either a second individual to either stay behind with the child, or
accompany the parent to the store so that they can push the child in their wheelchair. In a time
where we are encouraging both mainstreaming in our classrooms, as well as universal design in
all aspects of society to accommodate those with disabilities, it is disheartening that a child may
have to be left behind when their parent shops.
Drew Ann Long, a parent of a child with special needs, recognized this as becoming an issue
as her daughter began to outgrow the infant seat attached to some grocery carts. Drew Ann put
her pen to paper, partnered with a company called Technibilt, and designed a shopping cart
capable of safely transporting children and adults with disabilities through the grocery store. She
called this specialized cart Carolines Cart.
Carolines Cart offers a contoured, full-sized seat located in the front of the shopping cart
behind the carts push handle. The handle is hinged to open fully, exposing the seat for easy
loading and unloading. The seat is equipped with an adjustable five-point harness to safely
secure your loved one during the trip through the store. The proximity of the seat to the parent or
caregiver pushing the cart provides reassurance for children with anxiety, or adults who fear
falling. As an added bonus, Carolines Carts are designed to match your own stores shopping
carts, making this a customized, seamless fit to your stores existing carts.
Current Situation

Parents and caregivers of individuals with disabilities requiring a wheelchair currently

have no viable options when shopping other than to maneuver both a wheelchair and a
shopping cart through the store.
There are over 1.6 million severely disabled and special needs children in the United
States. These children deserve the opportunity to participate in mainstream society with
their families by being able to enjoy the shopping experience together.
Target is currently offering Carolines Carts in each of their larger stores nationwide.
Forty military commissaries currently offer Carolines Carts for military families.

Plan

It would be a gracious act on behalf of Costco, a leading wholesale warehouse store, to

provide their guests with disabilities a special shopping cart designed to meet their needs.
I am proposing a pilot program to familiarize Costco with Carolines Carts, in order to
determine if our product is a good fit for your company. I recommend that the following
states, representing 4 regions, place two carts in a selected number of stores:
1.
2.
3.
4.

New York
California
Washington
Florida

10 stores (Eastern region)

20 stores (Western region)
10 stores (Northern region)
5 stores (Southern region)

Costco should select the stores in each of the above mentioned states that will offer the
carts, based on the location and customer traffic.
During a six month trial period, the stores outfitted with carts will relay the usage and
customer feedback they receive.
If it is determined that Costco receives positive feedback as well as increased customer
visits due to the availability of Carolines Carts, Costco can then consider making the
carts available in every Costco store in the United States and Canada.

Cost

Carolines Carts are offered at a price of $850 each. This is roughly $200 more than a
standard shopping cart. This proposal is requesting that two carts be placed in forty-five
different Costco stores, at an initial investment of $76,500. The cost breakdown is as
follows:

State

Number of
Stores

Number of
Carts per Store

Unit Price per

Cart

Total

New York
California
Washington
Florida

10
20
10
5

2
2
2
2

$850
$850
$850
$850

$17,000
$34,000
$17,000
$8,500

Total Cost

$76,500

Benefits

The benefits to individuals and their families having access to Carolines Carts will prove to
be both physical and psychological. Families and caregivers currently have very little
alternatives when shopping other than leaving their loved ones behind while they shop, or
bringing an additional individual along to negotiate the wheelchair. Children with sensory issues,
such as Autism Spectrum Disorder can find the chaos of a grocery store overwhelming, and the
design of this cart is such that they can feel secure and close to their parent or guardian. The
freedom to bring their child with special needs along with them to the store would be priceless to
parents, and the childs ability to share in such a normal, everyday activity will bring them
immeasurable joy.
Costco stands to benefit as well by offering the services of Carolines Cart. Existing
customers who have family members with disabilities will be inspired to shop at Costco because
of the availability of the carts. Costco is known for their strong customer service, and their
customers are loyal because of this. News of Carolines Carts will spread among the disabled
community, and this will invite others to choose Costco as their place to shop.
It is important that individuals with disabilities be recognized as significant, contributing
members of society, and providing them the ability to shop with their families is a giant step in
this direction. Together, Costco and Carolines Cart can form a strong partnership in support of
such individuals, and help lessen the obstacles families face when planning a trip to the store.
Qualifications
As both a customer service representative for Carolines Cart and the parent of a child with
special needs, I am uniquely qualified to recommend this shopping cart. In addition, I am
currently a Special Education major in college, and intend to dedicate myself to a career
advocating for and educating children with disabilities.
The designer of Carolines Cart, Drew Ann Long, is herself highly qualified. After realizing
her own child would soon outgrow a regular shopping cart, Mrs. Long founded the Parent
Solution Group, LLC, applied for a patent, designed the cart, and enlisted the help of both legal
and business professionals to market her design.
Carolines Carts are manufactured by Technibilt, North Americas largest shopping cart
manufacturer. Technibilt is headquartered in Newton, NC, and has additional distribution centers
in Nevada and Canada.

The following are testimonials from individuals who have experience in using Carolines Cart:
This simple cart literally will change how we can shop, not having to worry as to how

we are going to get (Savannah) into a store. Adam Standiford, Target Customer.
("Caroline's Cart Is Rolling into Target Stores Nationwide." Target Corporate. Web. 15
Apr. 2016).

My mother is 82 years young. A real spitfire until a few short months ago. Now she
can barely walk due to a spinal problem. Even though she can barely walk and is in
constant pain, she refuses a wheelchair. She was able to sit
and shop with me while we laughed and chatted. It doesnt make her feel like an
invalid. Right now shes not ready to face that. Thank you Target! Hope more are
on their way!! Jennine Cervone Spoto, Target Customer ("Target Is Rolling Out New
Special Needs-Friendly Shopping Carts." Fortune Target Is Rolling Out New Special
NeedsFriendly Shopping Carts Comments. 2016. Web. 15 Apr. 2016).
Carolines Cart can be a game-changer for families, and were excited to offer this
to our guests across the country. Target is always looking for new ways to make
guests feel welcome in our stores and give them a more comfortable shopping
experience. Were always listening to both our guests and team members and
making changes based on their feedback. Juan Galarraga, Senior Vice President, Target
("Caroline's Cart Is Rolling into Target Stores Nationwide." Target Corporation 5 April
2016 ).

Thank you for your time and consideration in reviewing this proposal. I look forward to the
future collaboration between Costco and Carolines Cart. Together we can make a difference in
the lives of millions of people.
Sincerely,
Patricia Jarvis, Customer Service Representative, Carolines Cart
Works Cited and Referenced

"Caroline's Cart Is Rolling into Target Stores Nationwide." Target Corporate. Web. 15 Apr.
2016.

"A Mom's Shopping Cart for Kids with Special Needs Goes Global." Easter Seals. Web. 15 Apr.
2016.
"Our Story." Carolines Cart. Web. 15 Apr. 2016.
"Target Is Rolling Out New Special Needs-Friendly Shopping Carts." Fortune Target Is Rolling
Out New Special NeedsFriendly Shopping Carts Comments. 2016.