Shopping at Sears in the 1950s
A look back at the department store Sears from the 1950s.
By the early 20th century, Sears was already a household name across the United States. In an era when print media reigned supreme, Sears dominated the rural retail market through its huge catalog, an amazing work of product advertising, consumer education, and corporate branding.
In the United States, the number of Sears stores passed 700 by the mid-1950s. During this time, Sears began to shift its focus from urban to suburban markets. The Sears name soon became synonymous with the suburban shopping experience. Their large department stores anchored shopping malls all over the country.
It wasn’t until the 1970s that Sears began to lose its footing. Skyrocketing inflation during the late 1970s meant low-price retailers such as Target, Kmart and Walmart, which lured away new customers.
Sears was innovative in founding some of our most familiar brands, including:
Kenmore
Craftsman
Allstate Insurance
Discover Card
August 30, 2022 @ 4:34 pm
Sears & Roebuck Stores carried a variety of normal, common sense items. Tools were the best ever! Small appliances were abundant, had the best under the cabinet can openers. Had a repair dept like no other. Demise of Sears was the beginning of losing stores W/in an American Era! So very sad.
August 30, 2022 @ 11:24 am
I remember in my home town there was a Sears on one corner and a Penny’s on the other in downtown. Great memories. Best times ever.
March 19, 2021 @ 10:52 pm
I recall my grandmother, from Italy, pronouncing it as Sears RooBUCK (back in the 40s or 50s).
March 19, 2021 @ 6:28 pm
I can remember WHEN!!! Bought a lot of merchandise from Sears in my teenage years… and the quality was excellent!
March 19, 2021 @ 10:49 am
I miss seeing those stores and always visited Sears in places like Idaho and Pennsylvania. Also, in New Hampshire at the mall. The department store was the most enjoyed shopping experience of the 1950’s, 1960’s, 70’s and 1990’s. In my lifetime the best, but the nostalgia having seen this was really great.
March 19, 2021 @ 10:36 am
Sears use to be the best store, I recall the big catalogs that came out every year, missing that store,