Department stores have changed a lot over the last century. In the past, the stores were more focused on what they thought were basic needs, though they did branch out into areas of fashion and daring. However, department stores are struggling to stay open, and only a few classic chains still exist. Through these pictures, you’ll see that times have changed.
Mrs. Snyder’s Candy Shop, Chicago, 1927
Chicago has always been known as a place that has the best candy. In the early 1900s, it was home to over a thousand candy companies. Mrs. Snyder’s Candy Shop promised that it was clean, had quality, and offered a reasonable price. Her sign also promised that your satisfaction was guaranteed. Her brand emphasized that she was real and genuinely cared about her customers and quality.
Buying A Radio, Crowley-Milner, Detroit, 1941
Founded in 1909, Joseph Crowley and his brothers joined to save a struggling store. After taking over and changing the name, the owners stocked the store with luxury clothing and high-end gifts imported from Europe. At the time, Detroit was considered one of the more affluent cities, and the brothers wanted to keep that image alive. They also opened a restaurant and a grocery store.
Marshall Field Jewelry Department, Chicago, 1910s
Marshall Field opened fully equipped in 1904. They wanted to capitalize on the movement that arts and crafts had created, so they made machine-made and hand-made items. The shop made everything from bracelets to hatpins, candy dishes to silverware. They made them in sterling silver, copper and more.
Finney Isles Department Store, Brisbane, 1910
In 1910, the store, located on Queen Street, had five floors and was a beauty to behold. Its structure was reinforced concrete, one of the first occasions someone had done that in the area. The store was organized and stylish, creating a space where people wanted to go and be in awe.
Le Bon Marché, Paris, 1875
Considered a small novelty shop at the time, it became the first Parisian department store. The store had a taste for culture, tradition, and an innovative approach. It offered fixed prices, mail-order sales, a reading room, a painting gallery, and much more. It also offered home delivery, inspiring other stores to want to follow its lead.
Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show, Detroit, 1942
Saks has always been innovative and unique. For the fashion show in 1942, there were newspapers announcing the show and promising low prices, high fashion, and relief from somber hues. The looks and outfits had a great range, so any woman could find what she was looking for, and presented each woman as stylish and elegant.
Matsuzakaya Department Store, Ueno, 1930
One of the oldest stores in Japan, the slogan ‘high in quality, low in price’ resonated with people. The store could deal with 200,000 customers a day and the idea was to give customers the best in comfort and convenience. It was considered one of the most beautiful buildings, and people loved to shop here.
Macy’s, New York City, 1907
While it was a small shop that sold dry goods when it opened its doors, it morphed into one of the biggest department stores in the country. It moved to New York in 1902, and by 1907 it was already becoming popular for having exactly what people needed. It was the hotspot to come shop and of course became more popular after they had their first parade.
Fifth Street Department Store, Los Angeles, 1902
This store was a major department store and initially had the name Walkers before changing it in the 1940s. The original store was built on a steel frame and utilized brick filler walls. The floors were all concrete. After a $1,000,000 remodel in the 1950s, it was rebranded but closed, unfortunately, six years after the remodel. In 1979, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Macy’s During The Christmas Rush, 1942
During this time, more photos were being taken of happy occasions as they wanted to encourage and bolster the war effort. While the photographers did include poverty and other issues, they also posted more shopping and celebrations. As such, pictures like people shopping at Macy’s show citizens supporting the war effort by attempting to stimulate the economy through retail options.
Soviet Department Store, 1951
In the 1950s, Soviet department stores were referred to as GUM. This meant they were state-owned and sold a wide range of goods, including specialized departments, household goods, and clothing. The stores that offered specialized goods had things like sporting equipment or books, and people liked the variety and tended to go to the better-stocked options.
Hess Brothers Department Store Models, Allentown, 1965
In 1965 this store had models crossing Hamilton Street as a promotional event. It showed their involvement in retail culture while showing local fashion. The events were designed so that the stores could show off their clothing and engage with the community. This store was known for becoming a shopping legacy and having magnificent showmanship.
Vintage Walmart, Mid-1980s
Everyone knows Walmart. During their years as a business, they had a lot of changes, and their influence became stronger. During the eighties, they were known for innovation, expansion, and gaining the title of being a modern supercenter. In the late eighties, they began adding general merchandise with a grocery supermarket, which was unheard of at that point in time.
Richards Department Store Window Display, Miami, 1960s
Another store known for innovation, its displays were modern for the time, the clothes were stylish, and the staff was helpful and friendly. The store was always busy, and shoppers could always find what they needed, making it people’s go-to until it closed. It managed to stay open for decades, and people were genuinely sorry it closed.
Sears Department Store, 1950
Sears was prominent in the 1950s. During that time, they focused on the suburban market and began building larger stores. The catalog was also a great part of the business because it offered a wide variety of goods. They also offered appliance and automotive repair services, which people were grateful for.
Customer Satisfaction
Stores from the past were focused on giving customers the best experience possible and ensuring that people were happy with their services. While some of these stores have closed, others have stayed open and are now some of the biggest department stores in the country. Looking into the past, we can see that while stores have changed, the values are still shared.
