Abstract: A wheel assembly having particular adaptability for use on a shopping cart and which importantly serves to prevent shopping cart movement after release by the user. Briefly, the wheel assembly includes an axle, a hub, a tire carrying rim overlying said hub, and a series of lateral grooves on the outer surface of the hub and selectively engagable by, for example, spring-loaded ball catches mounted on portions of the rim. When one of the ball catches is received within a lateral groove, wheel rotation is limited (until overcome by the user's force). The preceding serves to prevent unwanted cart movement and promotes safety in a cart location area.