Then the internet came along and spoiled everything for department stores.
Some have managed to cling on in the face of ever-growing pressure, but many once mighty high street giants have fallen.
Those lost department store chains hold fond memories for many people who used to shop there, especially those who recall visiting the magical toy sections as a child, or being treated to a meal at the in-store cafe or some pick ‘n’ mix.
Below are nine of the biggest department store chains you’ll remember if you grew up in the 60s or 70s, and what made them so popular.
Between them, they once had hundreds of branches, and their demise has left a big hole in the nation’s high streets.
How many of these lost department stores did you shop at, and is your old favourite among them?
If you’re in the market for more retail-based nostalgia, you might like this look at high street chains that were huge in your childhood but are now struggling or defunct.
7. Beales
Beales began life in Bournemouth and expanded across the UK, from Salisbury to Skegness. As well as the wide range of goods it stocked, it was known for bringing a touch of theatre to shopping. It was one of the first shops with an in-store Father Christmas, and it was also famous for its annual Easter farm and for once hosting a baby elephant. The last stores closed in 2020, after Beales went into administration | Google Photo: Google
8. Allders
The first Allders store opened in Croydon, south London, in 1862, and at one time it was the UK's third biggest department store, behind only Harrods and Selfridges. It claimed to have the largest carpet department in the whole of Europe. Allders operated around 50 stores across the UK at its peak, including branches in Leeds, Hull and Newcastle. Its fortunes declined sharply in the 90s, and all stores except the flagship one in Croydon had closed by 2005. The Croydon store continued trading until 2012. | National World Photo: YPN
9. Co-op
The Co-op remains a major presence on the UK's high streets, offering everything from groceries to funerals. But the group once had a number of department stores across the country, where many people have fond memories of visiting the large toy departments as children. Co-op's last department stores, in Perth and Tunbridge Wells, closed in 2006. | Picture Sheffield/Sheffield Newspapers Ltd Photo: Picture Sheffield/Sheffield Newspapers Ltd