Supermarkets proliferated across Canada and the United States with the growth of automobile ownership and suburban development after World War II.
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| Inside supermarkets through decades |
Most North American supermarkets are located in suburban strip shopping centers as an anchor store along. Kroger is perhaps the most nationally oriented supermarket chain in the United States but it has preserved most of its regional brands, including Ralphs, City Market, King Soopers, Fry’s, Smith’s, and QFC.
In Canada, the largest such company is Loblaw, which operates stores under a variety of banners targeted to different segments and regions, including Fortinos, Zehrs, No Frills, the Real Canadian Superstore, and Loblaws, the foundation of the company. Sobeys is Canada’s second largest supermarket with locations across the country.
Take a look at these vintage photos to see what the food shopping experience looked like back from the 1950s to 1980s.
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| Woolworths Department Store, Main St, Southbridge, circa 1953 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Woolworths Department Store, Main St, Southbridge, circa 1953 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Cracker section, 1955 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Kroger and strip mall, 1955 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Mother shopping with daughter at Piggly Wiggly, circa 1960s |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Shopping with mom, 1960 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Young boy paying for groceries, circa mid-1960s |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Picking out oranges, 1962 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Dallas Kroger’s, 1965 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Family shopping, 1966 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Pudding aisle, 1966 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Space age shopping, 1967 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Food shopping, 1968 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Kroger grocery store, 1968 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Couple in dairy section, 1969 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Happy Foods parade, circa late 1960s |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Food shopping and mini-skirts, 1970 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Graceland shopping center, circa 1970s |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Grocery shopping small girl with mom, circa 1970s |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Shopping with grandma (Bazooka Gum!). Also original “Kung Fu” TV Show poster in background, circa 1970s |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Checkout lane, 1972 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Checkout lane, 1972 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Checkout lane, 1972 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Checkout lane, 1972 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Ice cream section, 1973 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Food shopping in 1974 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Alpha Beta supermarket, 1975 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Shopping for groceries, 1975 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Kohl's supermarket, 1976 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Shopping in wine section, circa 1976 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Supermarket checkout lanes, 1976 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Shopping for peaches in a halter top, 1977 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Finast supermarket, circa 1980s |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Supermarket cashiers, 1980 |
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| Check out lane, 1981 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Fruit section, 1981 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Shopping for pop, 1982 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Stocking Tylenol, 1983 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| “Total Discounts Everyday!”, 1984 |
Vintage Photos Bring Back Supermarket Memories Through Decades
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| Safeway, 1989 |
