17 Store Displays That Used to Be Everywhere in the ’70s

The 1970s were a playground of color, texture, and eye-catching design. Stepping into a department store or local pharmacy felt like entering another world, where every display competed for attention. Shag-carpeted floors, chrome accents, and neon signs created a sensory overload that made shopping an event in itself. From rows of Polaroid cameras to candy counters bursting with bright packaging, every corner offered something to marvel at. This listicle highlights seventeen unforgettable store displays that defined the decade, capturing the bold, quirky, and sometimes ridiculous charm of 1970s retail before it disappeared into the digital age.

1. The Rotating Comic Book Rack

Before every big box store had a dedicated media section, the rotating wire rack was the king of the pharmacy corner. There was a specific, rhythmic “clink-clink-clink” sound these racks made as you spun them around, searching for the latest issue of Spider-Man or Archie. They were often overstuffed, meaning you had to be careful not to snag the thin newsprint covers on the metal loops. These displays were strategically placed at a child’s eye level, making them the ultimate “impulse buy” for parents trying to keep their kids quiet while waiting for a prescription. It was a tactile ritual that digital scrolling just cannot replicate.

2. Wood-Grained Television Showrooms

Walking into an electronics department in the mid-seventies felt like entering a high-end library. Instead of sleek, thin black frames, you were met with massive, heavy wooden “consoles.” Store displays featured dozens of these units stacked together, all tuned to the same channel with slightly varying hues of orange and green. The sales floor was usually covered in a dark brown or burnt orange carpet to match the “furniture” look of the tech. These displays emphasized that a television was not just an appliance, but a permanent piece of your living room decor. You did not just buy a screen; you bought a mahogany-finished centerpiece.

3. The L’eggs Pantyhose Boutique

You could find these shimmering white kiosks in almost every grocery store and pharmacy. The L’eggs display was a revolution in 1970s branding. Instead of flat cardboard boxes, the product came in bright plastic eggs. The display itself was a tall, futuristic cylinder that stood out amongst the drab metal shelving of the era. It was sleek, space-age, and incredibly easy to spot from across the store. For many, the best part was not the hosiery itself, but the empty plastic eggs left over, which were repurposed for everything from craft projects to DIY Easter decorations. It was a masterclass in iconic packaging and display design.

4. Massive Record Bin Aisles

The record department was the heart of the department store in the 1970s. Waist-high wooden bins stretched across the floor, each carefully organized by genre. Shoppers flipped through the plastic sleeves with a rhythmic ‘flip-flip-flip,’ hunting for the latest Led Zeppelin or Donna Summer release. Posters for new albums covered every available wall space, adding bursts of color above the bins. The scent of fresh PVC and cardboard filled the air. Kids and teens would often linger near their favorite section, pointing out albums to friends. It was a social hub where people could linger for hours, admiring psychedelic cover art and swapping music recommendations with strangers.

5. Polaroid Instant Camera Kiosks

In the 1970s, Polaroid was the height of “instant” gratification. Their store displays were often vibrant and high-tech, featuring the iconic rainbow stripe branding. You would often see a demo model tethered to a pedestal, surrounded by sample photos that were pinned up to show off the “miracle” of self-developing film. These kiosks were usually placed near the front of the store to draw in crowds. Seeing a photo develop in front of your eyes was the ’70s version of a viral video. The displays were usually accompanied by stacks of the square film packs, which were the ultimate accessory for any family vacation or holiday party.

6. The Avon “Ding Dong” Counter

While Avon was famous for door-to-door sales, many department stores featured curated counters that showcased their increasingly wild decanter designs. During the seventies, Avon put their colognes and perfumes in bottles shaped like classic cars, pioneer boots, and even Greek busts. These glass-topped displays were a wonderland of kitsch. Seeing them all lined up under warm fluorescent lights made them look like a tiny, fragrant museum. It was a time when the bottle was just as important as the scent inside. Collectors would flock to these displays to see the newest “limited edition” shape, marking a unique era where vanity decor met mass-market retail.

7. Shag Carpet Samples on Rings

Home improvement in the seventies meant one thing: shag. Flooring departments were dominated by massive, heavy carousels or wall racks holding thick “pages” of carpet samples. These samples were often two inches thick and came in a palette of harvest gold, avocado green, and burnt sienna. Shoppers would flip through these giant, fuzzy books like they were reading a prehistoric encyclopedia. The sheer volume of synthetic fibers on display created a muffled, quiet atmosphere in the store. It was a very hands-on shopping experience; you had to run your fingers through the “pile” to ensure it was plush enough for your living room floor.

8. Smokey Glass and Chrome Furniture Sets

Furniture showrooms in the late seventies began to ditch the heavy wood for a “Space Age” look. Displays featured dining sets with thick chrome legs and smoked glass tops that seemed to defy gravity. These vignettes were usually set up with bright, plastic dinnerware to complete the futuristic vibe. Lighting was a huge part of these displays, often using “arc” floor lamps that hovered over the table like a giant chrome fishing pole. It was a look that screamed “modern living,” even if the glass was a nightmare to keep free of fingerprints. These displays represented the transition from the earthy hippie era into the sleek disco aesthetic.

9. The Kodak Film Yellow Box Wall

Every vacation in the ’70s and ’80s seemed to begin at the Kodak display. Usually tucked behind the counter or standing bright and proud in a freestanding rack, the sea of yellow boxes was impossible to miss. Films were organized by speed and format, from 110 cartridges to 35mm rolls. That unmistakable ‘Kodak Yellow’ promised memories waiting to be captured. Kids would often linger, imagining the adventures they would document. Many displays also included processing envelopes, where finished rolls could be dropped off, adding a sense of anticipation. It was the visual heartbeat of the photography department, back when every shot truly counted.

10. The Stationery “Social Center”

In an era of handwritten letters, the stationery aisle was a sophisticated destination. These displays featured “social centers” where you could find coordinated sets of paper and envelopes in pastel shades. What made them iconic were the revolving racks of “Sniff ’n Scratch” stickers and scented pens that were often positioned nearby. The displays were usually made of dark faux-wood laminate, providing a serious backdrop for the colorful, floral-patterned writing pads. It was the place to go for the perfect birthday card or a fresh pack of wide-ruled notebook paper. It felt like a more personal, slower form of communication that was celebrated with its own dedicated boutique space.

11. Tobacco and Pipe Racks

It is hard to imagine now, but almost every major department store had a prominent tobacco and pipe display right near the entrance or the men’s clothing section. These displays were often very elegant, featuring polished wooden racks holding dozens of pipes and large jars of aromatic loose tobacco. The smell of cherry and vanilla tobacco would waft through the surrounding aisles. Shoppers could pick up a leather pouch or a heavy brass lighter as if they were buying a tie. It was a vestige of an older world that felt very grounded and sophisticated in the middle of a bustling, modern shopping mall.

12. Giant “Free Standing” Toy Bins

In the center of the toy aisle, there was almost always a giant, tall wire cage filled with oversized, colorful rubber bouncy balls. These were not just products; they were a visual magnet for every child in the store. The bright swirls of neon pink, blue, and yellow visible through the wire were irresistible. You would have to reach your arm through the metal grid to try and pull one out, or wait for a parent to help you fish one from the top. The smell of new rubber and the slight squeak when you squeezed a ball added to the excitement. These displays were simple, effective, and usually resulted in at least one ball being bounced uncontrollably down the aisle during a shopping trip.

13. The Tupperware “Party” Endcap

While Tupperware was famous for home parties, many stores featured massive endcap displays of “Wonderlier” bowls and airtight canisters. The colors were pure seventies: sheer orange, olive green, and harvest gold. These displays were often tiered to show off the nesting capabilities of the sets. There was a specific tactile quality to these displays; shoppers would often “burp” the lids just to hear the seal. They represented the peak of domestic organization and were a status symbol for the modern kitchen. Seeing a fully stocked Tupperware display was a sign that the store catered to the serious, color-coordinated home cook who valued leftovers as much as the main meal.

14. Retro Soda Fountains and Lunch Counters

Many large stores, like Woolworth’s or Kresge’s, featured a built-in lunch counter that acted as one giant living display. With chrome stools topped with red vinyl and long Formica counters, these were the social hubs of the retail world. You could see the rotating display of pies under glass domes and the bubbling juice machines from several aisles away. The smell of grilled cheese and popcorn was a deliberate marketing tactic to keep shoppers in the building longer. It was a place to rest your feet, check your shopping list, and watch the world go by. These counters were the original “food courts,” but with a much more personal, neighborhood feel.

15. The “Wall of Sound” Stereo Demos

If you wandered into the electronics section, you were met with a wall of massive speakers, many with their fabric grilles removed to show off the pulsing woofers. These displays were designed to be loud and impressive. Salespeople would often play “demo” tracks that showcased the stereo separation, making the sound “travel” from one side of the display to the other. The components were brushed aluminum with glowing blue or amber needles that danced to the beat. It was an era of “big audio,” and the displays reflected that with heavy, industrial-looking shelving that emphasized the power and weight of the equipment. It was as much a light show as it was a sound check.

16. The Pattern Book Table

In the fabric department, the center of gravity was the pattern book table. These were heavy, flat desks where giant, phonebook-sized catalogs from McCall’s or Butterick were chained to the surface. Shoppers would sit on low stools and spend an hour flipping through the pages of illustrated fashion. Once you found your look, you would head to the tall, narrow metal cabinets nearby to find the corresponding paper pattern in a numbered drawer. These displays were a testament to the “make it yourself” spirit of the decade. The tables were usually littered with scraps of thread and discarded pins, giving them a lived-in, creative energy that felt very different from the rest of the store.

17. The Cluttered “As Seen On TV” Endcap

Even in the ’70s, “infomercial” culture was beginning to take root. Special endcaps were dedicated to the “miracle” gadgets you saw on late-night television. From the Pocket Fisherman to the Veg-O-Matic, these displays were often chaotic and filled with bright, starburst-shaped price tags. They usually had a small, flickering television monitor playing a loop of the product in action. These displays were the ultimate curiosity traps. You might not have needed a device that turned a potato into a spiral, but the high-energy display made you feel like you were missing out on a kitchen revolution. It was the birth of the modern gadget craze, neatly packaged in a cardboard box at the end of the aisle.

• Tags:
• 1970s
• Nostalgia
• vintage retail
• retro design
• history