Growing up back in the 1950s, I often went grocery shopping with my Mom. In those days they did not let you take the cart out of the store, the bag boy bagged your groceries and then CARRIED them in his arms out to your car for you!
You're right about that. I also recall a time when young teenage boys hung around outside the supermarket. They wanted to earn a little money in tips for carrying the customers' bags to their cars. Customers were restricted from taking shopping carts into the parking lot.