Routledge - On The Origins of Self-Service Book

Explore a fresh perspective on the history of retail with On The Origins of Self-Service by Franck Cochoy. While many marketing scholars focus on the rise of department stores and supermarkets, this study looks at the often overlooked role of independent merchants. Through a detailed analysis of Progressive Grocer, an American trade magazine from 1922, the book tracks how small retail outlets began to change. This research reveals how the seeds of modern self-service were sown within small, independent grocery stores. By examining the influence of trade media, the text shows that modernization happened in ways that traditional retail histories often miss. It is an essential read for those interested in the history of marketing and the social sciences of commerce. This Routledge study provides a unique lens to understand how the shopping habits we know today actually began to take shape in small-scale retail environments.