Which retail innovation, introduced in 1916, fundamentally changed shopping by allowing customers to select their own merchandise without clerk assistance for the first time?

The history of retail has seen dramatic shifts in how customers shop and how businesses sell. From small general stores to massive department stores to online shopping, retail has continuously evolved to meet changing consumer demands and technological capabilities. This trivia question explores a pivotal innovation that changed the face of retail forever and set the stage for modern shopping experiences.

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The shopping cart (invented by Sylvan Goldman)
The self-service grocery store (Piggly Wiggly)
The department store credit card (Filene's)
The barcode scanner system (IBM)