Difference between convention and mordern retailing chart flpw
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means traditional vs modern retail stores and the changes have been phenomenal. In the 1950s, before the advent of shopping malls and big-box commercialism, relatively small, locally owned retail establishments were the norm. And, these retail stores operated mostly within small-town America’s downtown “business districts,” which consisted of approximately two city blocks to the north, south, east and west of a central town hall and/or city park. Although, many downtowns–especially those of cities with over 50,000 residents–contained outlets of nationally known retailers like Sears, J. C. Penney and Woolworth’s.
Similarities–between 1950s retailers and today’s–are few, the most significant being “specials,” or “sales” days, on weekends or just before major holidays. These sales, as is common now, would be advertised in local newspapers. However, the phrase “just before holidays” is itself significant, as most 1950s retailers closed before 6 PM Monday through Friday, were open from about 8 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays, and were completely shuttered Sundays and all major, religious holidays!
Another similarity between today’s 10,000-square-foot retail extravaganzas–and the bigger stores of the 1950s–is layout into “departments” or sections containing similar merchandise. But, here is where major likenesses end.
Today, a retail manager (seldom is an owner and manager the same person)–unless his store is within easy driving distance of densely populated residential neighborhoods replete with retirees–seldom gets to intimately know his customers the way an owner (usually also the day-to-day manager) did in the 50s. Lowly deli proprietors back then knew the “family backgrounds” and the merchandise likes/dislikes of the customers they served every week.
The following descriptions summarize scores of other differences:
1) Very personal, one-on-one customer service made the 1950s shopping experience unique. A sales lady, usually, quickly approached an entering customer and offered help. Today’s “service” at big-box stores (notably Walmart) consists of a customer searching to find an employee knowledgeable enough to answer detailed questions, especially regarding appliances. Thankfully national, “select” retail chains, such as Penney’s and Sears, have–over the past 5 years–become more adept at hiring knowledgeable, helpful sales staff.
Similarities–between 1950s retailers and today’s–are few, the most significant being “specials,” or “sales” days, on weekends or just before major holidays. These sales, as is common now, would be advertised in local newspapers. However, the phrase “just before holidays” is itself significant, as most 1950s retailers closed before 6 PM Monday through Friday, were open from about 8 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays, and were completely shuttered Sundays and all major, religious holidays!
Another similarity between today’s 10,000-square-foot retail extravaganzas–and the bigger stores of the 1950s–is layout into “departments” or sections containing similar merchandise. But, here is where major likenesses end.
Today, a retail manager (seldom is an owner and manager the same person)–unless his store is within easy driving distance of densely populated residential neighborhoods replete with retirees–seldom gets to intimately know his customers the way an owner (usually also the day-to-day manager) did in the 50s. Lowly deli proprietors back then knew the “family backgrounds” and the merchandise likes/dislikes of the customers they served every week.
The following descriptions summarize scores of other differences:
1) Very personal, one-on-one customer service made the 1950s shopping experience unique. A sales lady, usually, quickly approached an entering customer and offered help. Today’s “service” at big-box stores (notably Walmart) consists of a customer searching to find an employee knowledgeable enough to answer detailed questions, especially regarding appliances. Thankfully national, “select” retail chains, such as Penney’s and Sears, have–over the past 5 years–become more adept at hiring knowledgeable, helpful sales staff.
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