9 Things You Should Know About Piggly Wiggly
Known for their friendly staff, helpful service, and local, small-store vibe, the food retailer has been a favorite with shoppers down south for decades-no wonder it's called the supermarket of the south! Here's what every shopper and fan if the grocery store needs to know.
1. It was the first-ever self-service grocery store. Back in 1916, founder Clarence Saunders revolutionized food shopping by allowing customers to roam around the store, browse the inventory, and select the products they wanted to purchase, according to Mental Floss. Prior to that, buyers handed their list of items to a store clerk who gathered the items for them. They also distributed the first-ever printed receipt.
2. They're a regional chain with a strong presence in the South and Midwest. There are about 600 stores in the country.
3. They offer senior citizens 5 percent off their bill on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Some stores also offer a military discount, according to Southern Living.
4. It's named "Piggly Wiggly" for a pretty peculiar reason. When founder Clarence Saunders was asked why he gave the retailer its name, he replied, "So people would ask that very question," according to Mount Pleasant magazine. He wanted mystery to surround the name, but other accounts say he determined the name after seeing two "wiggly pigglys" try to shimmy under a farmers fence. He liked the rhyme he came up with and simply switched the words.
5. Their T-shirts are a must-have for loyal shoppers. Customers love wearing Piggly Wiggly gear designed to showcase fun expressions like "I Dig the Pig," "Get Your Pig On," and Gettin' Piggy With It." They've also sold branded sweatshirts, caps, bumper stickers, and even boxer shorts over the years.
6. They offer a variety of fun products to gift to your favorite foodie or host. Check out their selection of craft beers, locally sourced cheeses and honey, and artisan foods for last-minute gift ideas.
7. The chain is known for their selection of regionally grown and sourced items. In fact, a prior slogan of theirs is "local since forever." Fans of the store say it's like shopping at a local farmer's market, or a small-town food shop. Each store is different, but they all carry a variety of in-state products and specialities from the region.
8. The store has been featured in several movies including Steel Magnolias and Bonnie and Clyde. Piggly Wiggly has also been mentioned in televisions shows like That 70s Show and Boardwalk Empire.
9. It's one of the last places in America where you can buy soda for less than a dollar. Just like the good ole days, cans of soda go for about 50 to 75 cents.
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