U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for June 11

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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MONDAY, JUNE 11: GROCERY CARTS

Profile America — Monday, June 11th.  One of the most common items of modern life first appeared this month in 1937, when Sylvan Goldman introduced wheeled carts in his Oklahoma City grocery stores.  Before that, housewives usually shopped every day or two for what they needed, and stacked their purchases on the counter.  After paying, they walked the short distance home, carrying a bag or two.  But as people began shopping less frequently and bought more each time, the grocery cart was a natural and was soon used across the country.  Now, there are nearly 90,000 retail grocery stores, and each American spends an average of $1,684 on food and beverages annually.  You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov. 

Sources:  www.smithsonianmag.com/history
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1048, 1051

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button). 

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau