Ten Photos Showing What 1950s Shopping Was Like

Today online shopping has changed the world forever. Small stores -and even large retailers– have felt the crunch of hefty online competition. There was a time when a city’s “main drag” would have been the hottest place to shop. In later years shopping malls centralized much of the commerce into one building. But, even malls are having a hard time keeping their doors open these days. Flash back to the 1950s and shopping in person was a big deal- a family event if you will. Newly-opened malls offered exciting deals, but mainstays like 5 and dimes, mom and pop shops, and department stores kept the shopping experience enjoyable for generations of customers.

Look at this: one salesperson per customer. You’d never see that today.

Customer service was considered an essential part of the shopping experience for most people. Many shoppers would have expected to be helped in pretty much every store they went into- not including the cashiers.

Window shopping was rather an event back in the old days. People really did stand and marvel at the window displays. This was especially true around Christmas time.

Christmas was a big deal, but of course stores didn’t start shilling in September for Christmas deals. Instead, stores went all out during the month of December, with Christmas decorations and displays being half the fun.

Going to select one’s class ring was a big deal back then- unlike in later years when this was often done by catalog.

Before mall foodcourts, some department stores offered rooftop dining as a service for their customers. Later, the Woolworth’s lunch counter brought the concept to a much broader audience with their affordable diner food.

Salespeople would show customer any number of models based on what they might be looking for. It wasn’t an inconvenience or an afterthought – it was their sole job to do so.

Many department stores had record sections. These stores really did have it all.

People often wore their best (or second best) to go out shopping. It would never have occurred to most people to wear the equivalent of sweats.

How different those times were!

Related Posts

Ear blackheads

A pimple in your ear can seem strange. But just like skin elsewhere on your body, the skin in your ears has pores that can get blocked…

This iconic beauty left an indelible mark on Hollywood history, not only through her outstanding acting performances but also with her scandalous love life and affairs with some of the most famous men in the industry. Now, at 89, this living legend lives a reclusive life surrounded by nature. However, when she ventures into the public eye, she never fails to turn heads and shock onlookers with her latest confession

At 89 years of age, Shirley MacLaine is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down. Despite her gracious age, the Academy Award-winning actress continues to give and…

Players On A High School Football Team Decided To Take A Knee For The Anthem, And So The Refs Tried To Teach Them A Lesson

Back in 2017, while listening to the national anthem before a high school football game, four players on one team decided to take a knee in protest,…

Here’s What Happens To Your Body If You Eat 4 Dates Every Day

Dates are small morsels of pure sweetness with an irresistible texture and flavor, making them more than just nature’s sweets.For millennia, people have cherished these fruits that…

What Does It Mean When A Person Who Has Passed Away Appears In Your Dream

Every person experiences the pain of losing a loved one at some point in their lives.But, the loss of a particular loved one can have a greater…

Little-known mistakes and bloopers in The Andy Griffith Show

The Andy Griffith Show remains an iconic piece of American television, beloved for its blend of humor, warmth, and small-town values. Set in the quaint fictional town of…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *