Temperamental self-service checkouts, sleek deli counters and harried shoppers rushing between the aisles – that's the image of the modern American supermarket. But the look and feel of grocery stores has changed considerably over the decades. We take a trip down memory lane with some historic photos.
Winn-Dixie: Lovett's meat department in 1946
William Milton Davis passed away in 1934, leaving behind the small chain of stores he'd built up by this point to his four sons. The brothers used their father's initial investment, buying the existing 73-strong chain of Winn & Lovett stores, which included this bustling Jacksonville location, with its popular meat counter. The Winn-Dixie name was eventually taken on in the 1950s, when the brand added the large Dixie Home chain.
Safeway: busy checkouts in 1965
Safeway supermarkets were known for being uber-modern, with state-of-the-art checkouts operated by efficient staff. Unlike many of its competitors, Safeway also operated on a cash basis from the outset – in the early days of supermarkets, it was common for stores to run on credit, risking customers falling into debt. In the 1960s, Safeway also trialed onsite drug stores, as well as opening entire gourmet food-focused shops.
Albertsons: bakery in 1955
By the 1950s, large bakery departments with fresh goods made onsite were commonplace for Albertsons stores, as they still are today. Now, the company is a supermarket titan with numerous subsidiaries and 2,000-plus locations.
Wegmans: checkouts in the 1950s
Wegmans has its roots right back in 1916 when John Wegman opened the Rochester Fruit & Vegetable Company in the city of Rochester, New York. John's brother Walter went into business with him a year later and the pair set about expanding the company. By the 1950s, Wegmans operated a network of stores around the area, all of which were self-service shops selling groceries, meat and bakery items.
Wegmans: woman shopping in the 1960s
From the 1950s onwards, Wegmans developed with impressive speed. Various stores included mod cons such as air conditioning, cash registers able to complete calculations, automatic doors and children's play areas. By the 1960s "frosted" (frozen) goods and TV dinners were a staple of American life and Wegmans made sure its stores were stocked accordingly.
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