48 Photos Depicting What American Grocery Stores Looked Like Throughout the Decades

At its zenith in the 1970s and 1980s, K-mart buzzed with activity. A shopper’s haven that inevitably faced decline, this iconic scene of crowded aisles now resides in history, a reminder of fleeting commercial success.

Entering the 90s, K-Mart’s struggle began, culminating in a 2002 bankruptcy. Overwhelmed by Walmart’s affordability and Target’s modern appeal, K-Mart found itself outpaced in a fiercely competitive market, signaling the end of an era.