On June 5, 1937, the world's first shopping carts were introduced at Humpty Dumpty grocery stores in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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On June 5, 1937, the world's first shopping carts were introduced at Humpty Dumpty grocery stores in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Sylvan Goldman, an Oklahoma grocer, faced a challenge that was limiting in-store sales. The women shopping at his stores would stop once their hand-carry baskets were full. Goldman pondered how he could grow his business by making it easier for these women to shop. He realized that a bigger basket would allow customers to buy more, but such a basket would be too heavy to lift. So, Goldman placed it on wheels, using a folding chair as the frame. Although his prototype was somewhat clunky, he decided it was sufficient for a market test.

Goldman found that customers were resistant to change. Women felt that pushing a cart reminded them of a baby carriage, and men thought it wasn't “manly enough.” Undeterred, Goldman hired male and female "ringers" to shop using the carts and added a greeter to offer carts to incoming shoppers. This strategy worked, and the carts gained acceptance. Goldman patented his invention and eventually became one of Oklahoma's philanthropic multimillionaires.

He also focused on improving customer service and had a solid exit strategy. Goldman licensed his shopping cart patent to a company that enhanced the product to the telescoping baskets we use today.

There is a photo of Goldman with one of his carts from 1960.

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