Supermarket Innovations

The grocery shopping cart was invented in 1937 by Sylvan Goldman for use in his Standard Food Stores in Oklahoma City. The cart made it easy for customers to move their purchases from the cash register to their cars in the store’s parking lot. A larger shopping cart was also an enticement to buy more. The first “telescoping” shopping carts, which fit together for compact storage, appeared in 1947.

In 1940 Publix Supermarkets, launched by George Jenkins of Winter Haven, Florida, introduced an electric-eye door that opened automatically for customers as they entered and exited the store. Jenkins also equipped his grocery stores with air conditioning, fluorescent lighting, and music. By 1956 about 80 percent of all new supermarkets had piped-in music and air conditioning.