11 Shopping Habits That Don’t Exist Today
This article looks back at old shopping habits that once felt normal but have now disappeared.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
Shopping used to be a whole experience, not just a quick online click. People clipped coupons, flipped through catalogs, and even spent weekends hanging out at the mall. Many of these habits are gone now, replaced by faster and easier ways to shop. Still, they shaped how people connected to stores and each other.
1. Clipping Coupons from Newspapers
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Shoppers once armed themselves with scissors and coupon books every weekend. Hunting for deals was a family task that made Sunday papers feel like treasure maps. Today, digital codes and apps have taken over, making paper clippings a relic of the past.
2. Waiting for the Sears Catalog
Mike Kalasnik from Jersey City, USA on Wikimedia Commons
Catalogs were once the closest thing to online shopping. Families flipped through hundreds of pages to pick clothes, toys, and even furniture. The excitement of circling items has been replaced by scrolling on phones.
3. Writing a Check at the Register
Yinan Chen on Wikimedia Commons
Pulling out a checkbook at the cashier used to be normal, even if it slowed the line. Clerks had to double-check IDs and wait for approval. Now, cards and tap payments have made the process instant.
4. Browsing Record Stores for Music
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Buying music meant hours spent flipping through bins at record shops. Part of the joy came from chatting with staff who knew every album by heart. Streaming services have made that ritual disappear.
5. Going to the Mall Just to Hang Out
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For many teens, the mall was more than shopping — it was the weekend hangout spot. Food courts, arcades, and window-shopping turned malls into social hubs. Today, most gatherings happen online instead of at the mall fountain.
6. Collecting Store Loyalty Stamps
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Before digital points, shoppers collected paper stamps that were glued into little booklets. Filling a book earned small prizes or discounts, making shopping feel like a game. Apps now handle loyalty programs, but the stamp ritual is gone.
7. Renting VHS Tapes on Friday Nights
Loel Balangauan on Wikimedia Commons
A trip to the video rental store was a weekly tradition for families. Walking the aisles, picking a tape, and racing to return it on time created its own excitement. Streaming erased both the joy and stress of that ritual.
8. Laying Away Items Until Payday
Andrea Piacquadio on Wikimedia Commons
Layaway plans let shoppers reserve items and pay bit by bit until they could take them home. It was a slower but more thoughtful way to buy big purchases. Credit cards and buy-now-pay-later apps have taken its place.
9. Asking Clerks for Style Advice
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Store employees once acted like personal stylists, guiding shoppers through racks of clothes. Their opinions held real weight, especially for big events like proms or weddings. Online reviews have replaced that personal touch.
10. Waiting in Long Holiday Lines
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Holiday shopping meant braving massive crowds and lines that wrapped around stores. Shoppers saw it as part of the season’s ritual. Online deals and deliveries have ended that annual struggle.
11. Collecting Free Samples at Department Stores
cottonbro studio on Wikimedia Commons
Beauty counters and department stores were once known for generous free samples. Shoppers loved testing new perfumes or creams before buying. Online shopping has made those little perks rare.