Photos of the first supermarkets show how grocery shopping has transformed over the last century
Business Insider
Last updated: June 9, 2026
Modern grocery shopping, while having minor changes, remains fundamentally similar to past decades. However, over a century ago, the process was vastly different, with limited options and reliance on clerks.
- The evolution of grocery shopping in the US saw a significant shift from traditional markets and small shops, where customers were served by clerks, to the introduction of larger supermarkets.
- In the early 20th century, many urban Americans depended on various vendors and local establishments for their provisions.
- The 1920s and 1930s marked a transformative period with the emergence of larger grocery stores.
- These new supermarkets empowered customers to select their own items and utilize shopping carts, a novel concept at the time.
- This transition represents a major departure from the previous retail model, fundamentally altering the grocery shopping experience for Americans.
- Historical imagery illustrates this progression from smaller, service-oriented stores to the expansive supermarkets that are common today.
