Tesco was doing self-service much earlier
The following lifted from
http://www.open2.net/everwondered_food/history/history_timel ine3.htm
1947
Self Service
Jack Cohen launched Tesco self-service stores, which revolutionised shopping in the UK. Another 20 new Tesco stores were opened in 1950. Business continued to grow and by the end of the 1990s supermarkets were so large that they were usually sited on purpose-built retail parks.