10 Catalog Companies That No Longer Exist
These once-beloved catalog companies brought shopping into living rooms long before the internet but have since disappeared.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Before online shopping, catalogs were the way for families to and order everything from clothing to furniture. These thick booklets delivered seasonal trends, holiday gifts, and home essentials right to the doorstep. Here are 10 catalog companies that once shaped American shopping habits but no longer exist.
1. 1. Sears Catalog
Mike Mozart on Flickr
The Sears catalog was once dubbed the “wish book,” offering everything from toys to farm equipment. Generations grew up circling items they hoped to find under the Christmas tree. Its end in the early 1990s marked the decline of catalog culture.
2. 2. Montgomery Ward Catalog
Mike Mozart on Flickr
Montgomery Ward pioneered mail-order shopping in the late 1800s. Its catalogs became household staples, covering fashion, furniture, and appliances. When it shut down in 2001, it closed the book on more than a century of catalog history.
3. 3. JCPenney Catalog
Mike Mozart on Flickr
The JCPenney catalog was a fixture in many homes, especially during back-to-school and holiday seasons. From apparel to jewelry, it made shopping accessible nationwide. The company discontinued it in 2010 as digital sales took over.
4. 4. Spiegel Catalog
Spiegel on Wikimedia Commons
Spiegel was known for stylish clothing and home décor at accessible prices. It gave suburban households a taste of modern fashion trends without leaving home. After financial struggles, the catalog faded in the early 2000s.
5. 5. Gumps Catalog
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Gumps specialized in upscale gifts, fine décor, and jewelry through its elegant catalog. It catered to shoppers seeking sophistication by mail. Once considered a luxury, it eventually lost relevance in the age of online retailers.
6. 6. Service Merchandise Catalog
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Service Merchandise used its catalogs to showcase jewelry, electronics, and housewares. Shoppers ordered items in-store or by mail, making it an early hybrid retail model. The concept couldn’t compete with big-box stores, leading to its closure in 2002.
7. 7. Aldens Catalog
Jessica Hartman Jaeger on Flickr
Aldens offered affordable fashion and household products through its glossy pages. It appealed to middle-class families with competitive pricing. The catalog business wound down in the late 1980s after facing growing retail competition.
8. 8. Gimbels Catalog
micheile henderson on Unsplash
Known for its department stores, Gimbels also had a robust catalog business. Families relied on it for clothing, bedding, and holiday shopping. When the stores closed in the 1980s, the catalog disappeared along with them.
9. 9. Eastern Mountain Sports Catalog
Eastern Mountain Sports on Flickr
EMS once relied heavily on its catalog to showcase outdoor gear before physical stores expanded. Adventurers loved flipping through pages of camping and climbing essentials. With online platforms taking over, the catalog was discontinued.
10. 10. Sears Wish Book (Holiday Edition)
Mike Mozart on Flickr
Separate from its standard catalog, the Sears Wish Book was a holiday tradition in countless homes. Kids eagerly circled toys while parents browsed gift ideas. Its disappearance was a cultural loss as much as a retail one.