Abstract: A shopping cart receiver alarm system includes an RF transmitter for transmitting an RF signal having at least a minimum signal strength within a boundary that is generally defined by the outermost contours of a store parking lot. A receiver assembly responsive to the RF signal is housed within the handle of a shopping cart. The receiver assembly includes a self-contained power supply, an RF receiver for receiving the RF signal and for providing an output signal indicating a loss of RF signal strength. The receiver assembly further includes a timing circuit and an audible alarm responsive to an alarm signal generated by the timing circuit. The alarm signal controls the audible alarm according to a selectable alarm timing sequence that is initiated by the output signal of the RF receiver.