Clarence Saunders was born on September 9, 1881, in Virginia. As a young man, he started working at a general store when he was only fourteen years old. He later found employment at a Coke plant and a sawmill before eventually returning to the grocery business, which would ultimately shape his legacy.
Saunders was an ambitious and innovative entrepreneur, always looking for new ways to improve the shopping experience for consumers. His first major breakthrough came when he developed the concept of the self-service grocery model, which revolutionized the way people shopped for food.
In 1916, Saunders opened the first Piggly Wiggly store in Memphis, Tennessee. This store was the first of its kind, allowing customers to browse and select their own groceries without the need for assistance from store employees. This concept quickly caught on and became incredibly popular, leading to the rapid expansion of the Piggly Wiggly chain.
Saunders' innovative ideas and business acumen had a profound impact on the development of the modern supermarket. His self-service grocery model set the standard for the industry, making shopping more convenient and efficient for consumers.
Despite his success in the business world, Saunders faced personal challenges in his life. He was married twice and had a total of four children. His first wife, Carolyn Walker, bore him three children, while his second wife, Patricia Bomberg, gave him one child.
Throughout his career, Saunders branded several of his ventures under the name "Clarence Saunders Sole Owner of My Name." This branding strategy extended to various aspects of his life, including his football team and chain of stores.
Aside from his successful grocery business, Saunders also dabbled in politics. He campaigned for Tennessee governor Austin Peay, demonstrating his involvement in both business and public affairs.
Clarence Saunders was a visionary entrepreneur whose ideas continue to influence the retail industry to this day. His legacy lives on through the supermarkets that have adopted his self-service model, forever changing the way we shop for groceries.