Keedoozle: The Half Grocery Store, Half Vending Machine Retailer
NEWS
By CHOWHOUND STAFF
Keedoozle, founded by Clarence Saunders in 1937, was the pioneering concept of a fully automated grocery store in Memphis, Tennessee, preceding modern self-checkout systems.
Combining the convenience
of a supermarket with the efficiency of vending machines, Saunders aimed to streamline shopping without the need for a traditional shopping cart.
Saunders decided that he could cut down on labor costs by getting rid of most of his staff, something he claimed also cut prices for customers.
Keedoozle shoppers were given a key to browse and select non-perishable goods from giant glass cases resembling vending machines.
The system required manual operation by staff to fetch
items from a conveyor belt. The customers would make their way to the checkout to pick up their items and an awaiting check.
Keedoozle failed due to technological limitations of mid-20th century infrastructure, leading to delays, errors, and ultimately closure of its stores.
Despite its demise, if Keedoozle had been born in a later era, it could have been a major player in today's grocery industry alongside giants like Kroger and Amazon.