12 Retail Logos from the Past You’d Recognize Anywhere

These 12 classic retail logos were once everywhere, and many people still recognize them today.

Sophia Zapanta
June 20, 2025
4 min read

12 Retail Logos from the Past You’d Recognize Anywhere — Blockbuster LLC on Wikimedia Commons

Retail brands often change, but their old logos can stay in people’s memories. These 12 logos were once a regular part of shopping life across the country. Even years after some of these stores closed or rebranded, their logos are still easy to remember.

1. Blockbuster

Blockbuster Entertainment, Inc. on Wikimedia Commons

Blockbuster’s blue and yellow ticket-shaped logo was seen at thousands of video rental stores. At its peak, the brand had more than 9,000 locations worldwide. The logo became a symbol of weekend movie nights before streaming took over. Today, people still recognize it even though only one store remains.

2. Toys “R” Us

Toys “R” Us on Wikimedia Commons

Toys “R” Us had a colorful logo with a backward “R” that made it look playful and child-friendly. It was one of the most famous toy stores in the world for decades. The logo appeared on everything from shopping bags to TV ads. Many people still feel nostalgic when they see it, even after most stores closed.

3. RadioShack

RadioShack on Wikimedia Commons

RadioShack’s red and white logo stood for electronics and gadgets. For years, it was the go-to place for cables, batteries, and tech parts. The logo was simple but well-known across shopping malls and strip centers. Even after multiple bankruptcies, the brand still lingers in memory.

4. KB Toys

KB Toys on Wikimedia Commons

KB Toys had a red and yellow logo that many shoppers saw in malls. It was one of the top toy retailers in the U.S. during the 1980s and 1990s. The stores were usually small but packed with popular toys and games. After it closed in 2009, the logo remained familiar to those who grew up during its run.

5. Circuit City

Circuit City Stores, Inc. on Wikimedia Commons

Circuit City’s bold red lettering was seen across electronics stores nationwide. It was a major competitor to Best Buy during the 1990s and early 2000s. The logo appeared on big stores that sold TVs, stereos, and computers. After closing in 2009, the name and logo still come up in tech nostalgia.

6. Woolworth’s

Woolworth GmbH on Wikimedia Commons

Woolworth’s had a classic red and white logo that once represented one of the biggest retail chains in the U.S. Known as a “five-and-dime” store, it sold everything from clothes to candy. The logo was widely seen in cities and small towns alike. The company ended its retail stores in the 1990s, but the logo is still remembered.

7. Montgomery Ward

Montgomery Ward on Wikimedia Commons

Montgomery Ward used a simple logo with bold lettering that appeared in catalogs and stores across the country. The brand started in the 1800s and became a major retailer for decades. Its catalogs were especially popular before online shopping. Even after the company closed its stores, many people still recall the name and logo.

8. Borders

Estrogenbugen on Wikimedia Commons

Borders had a clean, black-and-white logo used on bookstore signs and coffee shop menus. It was one of the largest bookstore chains in the United States. Many readers remember spending time browsing shelves under that logo. Borders closed in 2011, but its look remains tied to the golden age of bookstores.

9. Linens ‘n Things

Svgalbertian on Wikimedia Commons

Linens ‘n Things had a bold red logo that stood out in home goods stores. It offered bedding, towels, and kitchen supplies and was a common stop for home shoppers. The logo was direct and easy to spot in shopping centers. The chain filed for bankruptcy in 2008, but the brand name is still remembered.

10. A&P (The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company)

Tkgd2007 on Wikimedia Commons

A&P used a red circle logo that was seen in grocery stores for over 100 years. Once the largest grocery chain in the U.S., it had thousands of locations. The logo represented a time when neighborhood A&P stores were common. The company closed its last stores in 2015, but the brand still has historical significance.

11. Mervyn’s

718 Bot on Wikimedia Commons

Mervyn’s had a simple logo that appeared on department stores mostly in the western United States. It sold clothing, home goods, and accessories at affordable prices. The brand was known for its sales and back-to-school deals. Mervyn’s closed in 2009, but many still recognize its name and signage.

12. Service Merchandise

Service Merchandise on Wikimedia Commons

Service Merchandise used a red and white logo often seen in catalogs and large showrooms. The store operated with a unique catalog-based shopping system. Customers would choose items from a catalog and pick them up at a counter. The chain closed in the early 2000s, but its logo is still recognized by people who shopped there.