Abstract: A retractable cover apparatus and method to protect items in a shopping cart from inclement weather includes a cover material that is configured to cover a predetermined surface area of the shopping cart. The cover material is extendable from a housing module, which is configured to couple to a portion of the shopping cart, such as one end. The housing module has one or more coupling members that are configured to secure the housing module to the shopping cart. The housing module includes a tensioning device that may retract the cover material when a fastener coupled to the cover material is not coupled to the shopping cart.