There are no situations except dire emergencies in which a person is not able to return their shopping cart.

It's pretty clear to me.

Disabilities of all kinds exist. There may be some that use the cart for balance or others that can't easily navigate places where there are cars (visual disability for example). Leaving the shopping cart at exit is easier if you get into a vehicle or mobility aid right at the exit, rather than going around.

It's funny because I've seen this same post before and half the comments were about disabled people. And here I was the first.