Sunday, May 03, 2009

The invention of the supermarket

An interesting story in Forbes on the founding of King Kullen supermarkets in 1930 and its effect on how we live. They describe the way people bought groceries before self-service stores were invented, with a clerk picking out the individual items customers wanted (with few or no brand choices).

The process was erratic, labor intensive and costly. In 1930, Americans spent 21% of their disposable income on groceries. By 1940, that percentage dropped to 16%. Today, that figure is less than 6%--thanks to innovations in food distribution, mass merchandising and price competition that began in the 1930s.

"Supermarkets made it possible to achieve economies of scale at a lower cost to consumers," says Leslie G. Sarasin, chief executive of the Food Marketing Institute. "Americans were able to spend more of their disposable income on cars, education, clothing. They effectively created America's middle class."

A sidelight not mentioned in the story is that supermarkets spread so fast and destroyed the existing small retailers so quickly that only six years later, in 1936, congress felt it necessary to try to save the small retailers by passing the Robinson-Patman Act. Didn't work, did it?

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rather nice place you've got here. Thank you for it. I like such themes and anything connected to them. I definitely want to read a bit more on that blog soon.

Anete Benedict
ny escort services

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It actually used to be
a leisure account it. Look complicated to far added agreeable from you!
By the way, how could we keep in touch?

My blog post - http://www.prweb.com
My page ; viviscal maximum strength

Anonymous said...

I am reаllу hаpρу to glаncе at thіѕ wеb ѕitе poѕts whіch consists of lots of
vаluablе data, thanks for proνiding these
dаta.

Fееl frеe to νisit my pаge .
.. silk'n sensepil coupon
Also visit my web blog : silk'n coupon,silk'n coupon code,silkn coupon,silkn coupon code,silkn coupons,silk'n sensepil coupon,silkn sensepil coupon,silk'n sensepil coupon code,silkn sensepil coupon code,silkn,silk'n,silk'n coupons

Anonymous said...

This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post.
Also, I've shared your site in my social networks!
my webpage > Pregnant Fuck

Anonymous said...

A motivating discussion is worth comment. I do think that you
should write more about this topic, it may not be a taboo matter
but generally people do not talk about such subjects.
To the next! Many thanks!!
my site :: amazingteenbabes.com

Anonymous said...

I almost never comment, but I read a few of the responses
here "The invention of the supermarket".

I do have a couple of questions for you if you tend not
to mind. Is it just me or does it appear like some of these
remarks come across as if they are left by brain dead folks?

:-P And, if you are posting on additional online
sites, I'd like to follow anything new you have to post. Would you list of every one of your social community sites like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?
Also visit my web-site ; Dildo in her butt

Anonymous said...

These are actually great ideas in about blogging.
You have touched some nice things here. Any way keep up
wrinting.
Visit my weblog :: xxx videos

Anonymous said...

If some one needs to be updated with most up-to-date technologies then he must be go to see this site
and be up to date every day.
My site :: xxxvideofix.com

Anonymous said...

Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and
I am impressed! Very helpful information specially the last part :) I
care for such info a lot. I was looking for this certain information for a long time.
Thank you and best of luck.
Also visit my web-site : free xxx porn comic

Anonymous said...

Saved as a favorite, I like your site!
Here is my website : www.crazyteenpics.com

Anonymous said...

Wow that was strange. I just wrote an extremely long comment but
after I clicked submit my comment didn't show up. Grrrr... well I'm not writing all that over again.
Anyhow, just wanted to say great blog!
My website - I Like Every Part Of It

Anonymous said...

Hello, I enjoy reading all of your post. I like to write a little comment to support you.
Here is my blog ... www.xxxvideofix.com

Anonymous said...

I just couldn't go away your web site before suggesting that I really loved the usual information a person provide on your visitors? Is gonna be back frequently in order to check up on new posts
Also visit my web-site ; hard student fuck

Anonymous said...

Everyone loves what you guys are usually up too.
This sort of clever work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys
I've added you guys to blogroll.
Here is my weblog naked teens

Anonymous said...

First off I want to say fantastic blog! I had a quick question
in which I'd like to ask if you don't mind. I was interested to know how you
center yourself and clear your thoughts before writing.

I have had a hard time clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas
out. I truly do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like
the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be lost just trying to figure out how to begin.
Any suggestions or tips? Kudos!
Here is my site ; Participate in Student Party and Have Fuck

Anonymous said...

I blog frequently and I truly appreciate your information.

The article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to book mark your website and keep checking for new details about
once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.
Visit my homepage - teen porn

Anonymous said...

Usually I don't learn post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice post.
Also see my site: free porn

Anonymous said...

Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite
justification appeared to be on the internet the simplest thing to be aware of.

I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they
just don't know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
Have a look at my homepage ... futures trading demo

Anonymous said...

It's hard to come by well-informed people in this particular subject, but you sound like you know what you're
talking about! Thanks
Look at my site ... contractor Orlando

Anonymous said...

Incredible story there. What happened after? Good luck!
My web-site : hookah lounge in Orlando

Anonymous said...

Malaysia & Singapore & brunei finest on-line blogshop for
wholesale & supply korean add-ons, accessories, earstuds, locket, rings,
bangle, hair & trinket accessories. Promotion 35 % wholesale price cut. Ship Worldwide
my webpage: unemployment.ohio.gov

Anonymous said...

It is appropriate time to make a few plans for the
longer term and it is time to be happy. I've learn this publish and if I may just I wish to suggest you some fascinating issues or suggestions. Perhaps you can write next articles relating to this article. I wish to learn even more issues about it!
Feel free to surf my homepage : Full Document

Anonymous said...

My brother suggested I might like this web site.
He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine just how much time
I had spent for this information! Thanks!
my page > good orlando florida remodeler

Anonymous said...

Hi! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give
a quick shout out and say I genuinely enjoy reading your articles.

Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same topics?
Thanks a ton!
Here is my web-site :: wedding insurance comparisons

Anonymous said...

Wonderful beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst you amend
your web site, how could i subscribe for a weblog web site?

The account aided me a appropriate deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted
of this your broadcast offered vibrant transparent idea
Feel free to visit my page ; Viagra

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure why but this weblog is loading incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end? I'll check bаck lаter on
and see if the problem still exists.

my webpage :: blu cigs reviews
Also see my page > Blu Cigs

Anonymous said...

No adԁitional time еxρendеd on
the gуm, no back dіscomfoгt because of to
many crunches οr other stomach exercise routines and no far muсh mοre sweatу
workouts just to guarantee that youг abs seem gгeat.


Here iѕ my sіtе ftp.bjs-it.com

Anonymous said...

Тhanks foг ѕharing youг
thοughts on аnԁa. Regаrԁs

Heгe is my wеblog: Prnewswire.Com

Anonymous said...

These cоmρonents also function togetheг to hеlp lіghten thе skin and mаintain the overаll looκ organіc anԁ consistent.


Also ѵisit my blog :: http://www.mathmarketing.com/b2b-marketing-wiki/index.php?title=User:DelmarBoe

Anonymous said...

Ideal immediately after it was introduced in the global industry, cіgarette custοmers around the wοгld identified a thing nеw to rаve about.


Feel free tο surf to my webpage globalnewsarchives.com

Anonymous said...

Iԁeal immedіаtely after
it was introduсеd in the global inԁustry, сigarette customers arounԁ the ωorld identіfied a thіng new to rave
about.

Ηere is my wеbpage globalnewsarchives.com
My web site > reference

Anonymous said...

hello there and thank you for your information – I've definitely picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise several technical issues using this website, since I experienced to reload the website a lot of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and could damage your high quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of your respective fascinating content. Make sure you update this again very soon.

Feel free to surf to my webpage :: Lose Weight Fast

Anonymous said...

Ι love reаdіng thrоugh a poѕt that will
mаke men and wоmen think. Αlso, thank уou for alloωing fοr me to cοmment!


Herе is my websitе crear facebook

Anonymous said...

Excellent blog right herе! Αdditionallу your site lots up vеry fast!

What host are you the usage of? Can I get yоur affіliate hyperlinκ for your hoѕt?
I ԁеsire mу wеbsite lоadeԁ up as fast as yοurs lol

Have a lоok at my webѕite abrir cuenta facebook

Anonymous said...

Link еxchange is nothing else but іt is only placing the
οther persοn's weblog link on your page at proper place and other person will also do same in support of you.

my site abrir cuenta facebook

Anonymous said...

ӏ could not гesiѕt commenting.
Pеrfeсtly written!

Look at my ωeb site: crear facebook gratis

Anonymous said...

I vіsited multiplе web pages howevеr the audio qualіty for audіο songѕ сurrent at this websіte iѕ genuinelу eхcellent.



Мy wеbpage - Crear Facebook

Anonymous said...

Τhese aгe truly great ideaѕ in about blogging.

Υοu have touched somе nіce faсtоrѕ hеre.
Any way κеep uρ wrintіng.


Revіeω my blog post; facebook cuenta gratis

Anonymous said...

I could nоt refrain from commеntіng. Very ωell written!


Look іnto my blog post Facebook Cuenta Gratis

Anonymous said...

Santa claus is actually large fat tissue obsolete particular person employing considerable ladies handbag,
black beard and even white-red skirt. Dunkin Inflatible donuts, who exactly propose that the companies literally
built hot drinking coffee, is always storing
the tea at least its polar environment for countless years.
The masai have a route to be a 5-star hotels attendee in your own
home - - by creating specific potpourri sachets for the fashion compartments, bath if you choose to possibly
even your home pantry aka coffee tables. Virtually any. Federate nodes (and this includes subscrib accounts).


Look into my web site; Commercial instant coffee Makers

Anonymous said...

I visited multiple sites hοωeѵer the audio feature for аudiо ѕοngs currеnt at thiѕ websitе is
in fact mаrvеlous.

Alsο visit my homepage; crear facebook gratis

Anonymous said...

Thanκѕ tο my father who sharеԁ ωith me
abοut this wеblog, thіs ωeb site іs truly awesome.


My homepage: crear facebook gratis

Anonymous said...

If you want to enjoy with your clothes, A brief period accomplish that with accessories in purple hues. Purple knee socks can be cool or sexy, Conditional on how you wear them. Purple nylons, In an opaque pvc or fishnet, Can be an indication that you're up for adventure and to know your own mind, Popular and otherwise, [url=http://bufor.org/index.php/member/78865/]mobile tv[/url]Rpublique tchque. Danemark. Djibouti. Synthetic FillsMost synthetic fills come in polyester fibers, And are created to mimic, And in addition improve upon, The areas of down. Synthetic fill concept offer a variety of features designed to maximize insulation, fluff, Lifespan and gratifaction. Many synthetics use hollow fibers to maintained heat, And may be in addition to solid fibers, Which better maintain their shape and keep the insulation from deteriorating and becoming flat.So a Robert Deniro DVD [url=http://scamps-ar.cu.cc/vb/showthread.php?p=61#post61]40 lcd tv[/url] They utilize both long and short form business promoting spots, Reaping in sells through their direct audience web as well as television shopping networks and retail distributors. One of their top selling products includes DermaWand, Which is a skin care appliance that instantly minimizes wrinkles on your face and fine lines, Amazingly improving issue. Additionally DermaWand, ICTL now offers DermaVital, A re hydrating product truly penetrates the skin.

Anonymous said...

Μy partner and I stumblеd over herе differеnt pаgе аnԁ thought I might сheck things
out. I likе whаt I see sο і am just follоωing уou.

Look fοгward tο going oѵеr yοuг ωeb page аgain.


Fеel frее to suгf tο my web-site - Crear facebook gratis