18 Department Stores from the Past That Defined Shopping
From glittering Parisian arcades to sprawling American flagships, these legendary department stores transformed shopping into a cultural spectacle and defined the golden age of retail around the world.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Prior to the rise of online carts and fast fashion, department stores were temples of commerce — architectural wonders in which shopping was an experience rather than a transaction. From Macy’s in New York to Takashimaya in Tokyo, these iconic retailers mapped city skylines, social mores, and consumer culture. This list delves into 18 fabled department stores that dominated retail, each revealing a snapshot into a lost era of glamour, spectacle, and innovation.
1. Macy’s (New York City, USA)
Image from Tripadvisor
Established in 1858, Macy’s was the archetypal American department store, renowned for its iconic Herald Square flagship store. It was the first to popularize the one-stop-shop model, enticing shoppers with elaborate window displays and seasonal events such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Macy’s was, at its height, not only a store but a consumer culture landmark.
2. Harrods (London, UK)
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Founded in 1849, Harrods established itself immediately as London’s most upscale department store. Its slogan, Omnia Omnibus Ubique (“All things for all people, everywhere”), was embodied in its vast floors of imported exotics and personalized services. From Egyptian-themed escalators to pet lions once on offer, Harrods became a temple of excess.
3. Marshall Field’s (Chicago, USA)
Image from Wikipedia
Marshall Field’s was opened in the mid-19th century and was a leader with innovations such as bridal registries, restaurant cafés in its stores, and customer-centric mottos such as “Give the lady what she wants.” Its Chicago flagship was an architectural beauty, featuring Tiffany glass ceilings and a towering clock that was an icon of the city. It epitomized Midwestern chic until it was rebranded as Macy’s in 2006.
4. Galeries Lafayette (Paris, France)
Image from ExperienceFirst
Established in 1894, Galeries Lafayette added a theater to Paris shopping with its magnificent Belle Époque dome and frequent fashion shows. It blended haute couture with democratic commodities, attracting both aristocrats and tourists. It became an emblem of Parisian chic and democratic luxury.
5. GUM (Moscow, Russia)
Image from Wikipedia
The State Department Store (GUM), constructed in the 1890s on Red Square, was a retail palace and a Soviet oddity. Even during communist shortages, its baroque architecture and waiting lines were a symbol of desire. In the aftermath of the fall of the USSR, it was reincarnated as a luxury shopping mall.
6. Selfridges (London, UK)
Image from Selfridges
Established in 1909 by American shopping tycoon Harry Gordon Selfridge, Selfridges revolutionized Oxford Street and made it a shoppers’ haven. Selfridge initiated experiential shopping, including beauty salons, exhibits, and a roof garden. His belief, “The customer is always right,” shook British retail.
7. Wanamaker’s (Philadelphia, USA)
Image from Smithsonian Magazine
Founded in 1876, Wanamaker’s was one of the first American department stores to employ electric lights and elevators. It also had the world’s largest pipe organ, which was played daily to astonish customers. With its chivalrous service and public-spirited owner, it was a Philadelphia institution.
8. Bon Marché (Paris, France)
Image from LVMH
Le Bon Marché, founded in 1838 and reimagined in 1852, is the world’s first authentic department store. It pioneered fixed prices and return policies, moving power to the consumer. Its refined aesthetic and carefully edited merchandise made shopping a delightful, cultural experience.
9. J.L. Hudson’s (Detroit, USA)
Image from Wikipedia
Hudson’s was Detroit’s showcase, the world’s tallest department store when its 25-story flagship opened in 1911. It was the epicenter of the city’s economy and social life, with fashion shows, parades, and even an auditorium. Its closing in 1983 capped a symbolic end to downtown Detroit’s heyday.
10. B. Altman & Co. (New York City, USA)
Image from Wikipedia
Established in 1865, B. Altman relocated uptown in 1906 and emerged as one of Fifth Avenue’s most elegant retailers. Its dignified environment and service standards were the epitome of quality, attracting New York’s upper crust. The store itself had old-world restraint and class, distinguishing it from its more ostentatious rivals.
11. I. Magnin (San Francisco, USA)
Image from NoeHill in San Francisco
Serving the affluent West Coast women, I. Magnin embodied sophistication and haute couture. Established in 1876, its shops boasted marble columns and bespoke couture. It introduced Continental refinement to the American frontier.
12. Simpsons (Toronto, Canada)
Image from Wikiwand
Simpsons, established in 1872, contributed to the formation of Canadian retail with its fusion of British heritage and North American technology. Its Toronto flagship had art galleries and reading rooms, imbuing shopping with culture. It eventually merged with the Hudson’s Bay Company, marking the end of an era.
13. Takashimaya (Kyoto/Tokyo, Japan)
Image from Takashimaya
Takashimaya, which traces its origins back to 1831, was originally a kimono store that grew into a department store empire. It exemplified Japanese omotenashi (hospitality) with diligent service and changing season presentation. While Japan became more modern, Takashimaya maintained traditional beauty in combination with international brands.
14. Bullock’s (Los Angeles, USA)
Image from Wikipedia
Bullock’s Wilshire, which opened in 1929, blended art deco glamour with Hollywood stars as customers. Stars shopped in private suites, and even dressing rooms were lavish. It was a cultural landmark during L.A.’s heyday of style.
15. David Jones (Sydney, Australia)
Image from Wikipedia
Established in 1838, David Jones is the longest-running department store still in operation under its original name. It introduced colonial Australia to European luxury and contributed to national fashion directions. Its slogan, “There is no other store like David Jones,” held true for generations.
16. Karstadt (Germany)
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Established in 1881, Karstadt emerged as a pillar of postwar German consumer resurgence. Its chain of stores, frequently located in imposing buildings, introduced modern retail to towns nationwide. It represented reliability, range, and middle-class aspiration.
17. Emporium (San Francisco, USA)
Image from Wikipedia
A local favorite from the late 19th century, The Emporium featured a rooftop amusement park and a central dome that defined Market Street. Its holiday displays were legendary, drawing entire families. The store’s 1996 closure signaled the decline of regional department store charm.
18. Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe, Berlin, Germany)
Image from Wikipedia
Established in 1907, KaDeWe (West Department Store) is still a symbol of Berlin’s commercial strength. It managed to survive the Weimar years, Nazi Germany, WWII, and Cold War division. Renowned for its gourmet floor and luxury international brands, it became the model for Continental department store sophistication.