Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Question: What was the name of the Memphis-based store that became America’s first true self-service grocery?

Answer: Piggly Wiggly was founded in Memphis in 1916 and holds the distinction of being America’s first true self-service grocery store. It revolutionized shopping by letting customers pick out their own items, use shopping baskets, and pay at a checkout—radical ideas at the time. The store’s founder, Clarence Saunders, launched it with flair, drawing national attention.