These 21 Photos Capture 1970s Grocery Stores in Their Prime
Before self-checkouts, barcode scanners, and towering shelves filled with endless options, grocery shopping felt simpler, brighter, and full of charm. From vibrant produce displays and retro packaging to checkout lanes without a screen in sight, a trip to the grocery store was markedly different from the hurried errand it is today. Whether it’s the handwritten price tags, the no-frills aisles, or the unmistakable fashion of shoppers at the time, here are 21 nostalgic images of 1970s grocery stores that remind us of the good ol’ days, when life moved at a slower pace and the produce was a whole lot cheaper.
1. That Massive Haul Was Probably 20 Bucks (Cries in Inflation)
2. ‘This Whole Scene Just Feels Warm and Comfortable’
3. When All Soda (or Pop) Came In Glass Bottles
4. ‘Dang, Do I Remember Doing Laundry With My Mom and Using Those White Caps on the Fabric Softener Bottles’
5. ‘$50 Went a Long Way in the ’70s’
6. ‘I Can Feel the Calm Vibe. Miss That.’
7. Hey, Wanna Hit Up the Village Cheese Shop?
8. Where Can We Buy That Awesome Mello Yello T-Shirt?
9. A&P Grocery Store, 1973
10. No Grocery Haul Was Complete Without a Trip to the Oatmeal Aisle
11. Northland Foods in River Falls, MN, 1970s
12. The Grocery Store Checkout Area at A&P, 1976
13. A Teen Working at the Local Grocery Store, 1973
14. Not a Single Plastic Jug in Sight, Gasp!
15. ‘My Parents’ #1 Go-To Grocery Store Back in the 70’s, 50+ Years Ago!’
16. Legend Says She’s Still Judging Your Purchases To This Day
17. ‘Dr. Pepper and Mt. Dew Tasted Better Back Then’
18. When Your Supermarket Also Doubles as a Convenience Store
19. Gotta Love the Neighborhood Deli
20. Schnuck’s Grocery Store Cashier in St. Louis, MO, 1970s
21. A Grocery Store in Australia Reels Customers in With the Promise of Air Conditioning
Want to see more 1970s content?
Check out 15 Iconic Cars From the 1970s That Screamed Success and 12 Cocktails That the 1970s Elite Loved To Drink. You should also take a look at What 1975 Really Looked Like in 33 Vintage Photos and 10 Family Traditions From the ’70s That Have Disappeared.