Aussies reminisce about brands that have suddenly disappeared
- Replies 16
The Australian retail landscape has seen a dramatic shift over the years.
Many iconic brands that were once household names have disappeared almost overnight.
From the stationary giant Granny May's to the popular Sanity music chain, these brands have now vanished without a trace, leading many in a post online to reminisce about their heyday.
Granny May's, known for its scented erasers and 'adult's only card corner', was a staple in many Australian shopping centres.
However, the brand quietly disappeared, leaving many nostalgic for the days of browsing through its unique offerings.
Once-popular music chain Sanity also faded away, leaving a void in the music retail industry.
Despite its slow decline, many Australians remember the brand fondly.
'Sanity in Hobart (Northgate) only closed this year! I agree, the brand died a slow whimper of a death,' one shared.
Copperart, a home decor store that was once a favourite among Australians, also vanished from the retail scene.
The brand underwent a major rebrand in 1999, changing its name to HomeArt. Despite having 165 stores across Australia at its peak, the brand started struggling in 2014 and eventually went into administration in 2015.
'I used to love Copperart! I was only a kid but they always had that kinda stuff which was so hideous it was awesome,' one replied
'I was one of those kids who collected porcelain dolls. Copperart always had the fancy ones,' another added.
Next on the nostalgic list were Sunnyboy iceblocks with many Aussies complaining that they have unfulfilled cravings for the treat.
The treats were discontinued in 2016 due to the steady decline in demand.
Decore, a shampoo brand famous for its catchy jingle—’De-cor-eh, eh, eh,’ one reply recalled—and risque shower commercials has also suddenly disappeared.
Moreover, Starburst lollies were reportedly 'completely discontinued' in Australia as of June 2022.
Mars-Wrigley—the brand’s parent company—explained that the move was a 'long term decision' and not a 'short-term viral marketing strategy'.
The disappearance of these lollies has left many Australians nostalgic for the past.
'I am still mad the jelly beans disappeared. They were so good,' one said.
Other brands that many Australians seem to miss are Fantales, Red Earth (an all-natural body wash and make-up shop), Pizza Haven, and Tandy.
'I had the best Red Earth tinted lip balm. Never been able to find another like it. Mine fell out of my jacket pocket when I was walking home from the bus stop and I never found it. I still mourn it,' one shared.
'At their peak, some servoes were even selling freshly baked Pizza Haven pizzas. They've all since converted to barista-made coffee, which is useless when I'm turpsed and hungry,' another added.
'[Tandy] used to be one of my favourite shops as a kid to just browse and look at tech [stuff]. Couldn't even tell you when they just disappeared,' a third shared.
Tandy was purchased by Woolworths Group in 2010 but had been phased out within just a year.
'They were ultimately owned by Woolworths alongside Dick Smith. The stores were all folded in under the Dick Smith brand in 2009, a few years before the sale of Dick Smith to Anchorage, and the collapse in 2016,' one explained.
The list went on as Ski yoghurt, Sams Warehouse, and Ice Clothing were added.
'I never noticed this, I don't eat [Ski] yoghurt, but I remember all the ads—they were huge,' one commented.
But the nostalgia, at times, was tinged with unpleasant undertones.
A former employee of Sams Warehouse shared: 'I worked in that company for about 7 years until a year before its total collapse, it was an absolute s**tshow for most of that time.
'I think we went through receivership and buyouts/restructures 3 times while I was there, frankly can't believe it lasted as long as it did in the end,' they added.
Another user appeared to be keeping note of all retailers that 'has-been'.
'Seduce clothing store, Lisa Ho, Go-Lo, Bi-Lo, Ice clothing, Bardot, Diva jewellery, Equip, Kleins, Gasp, Pumpkin Patch, Bardot, Gloss,' they enumerated.
What are your memories of these iconic Aussie brands? Do you know of other brands that have suddenly disappeared? Share them with us in the comments below!
Many iconic brands that were once household names have disappeared almost overnight.
From the stationary giant Granny May's to the popular Sanity music chain, these brands have now vanished without a trace, leading many in a post online to reminisce about their heyday.
Granny May's, known for its scented erasers and 'adult's only card corner', was a staple in many Australian shopping centres.
However, the brand quietly disappeared, leaving many nostalgic for the days of browsing through its unique offerings.
Granny May’s and Sanity were among the widely missed shops that have disappeared overnight. Image sources: X/Old Shops Oz (left), Wikimedia Commons/Mr Stan Zemanek (right).
Once-popular music chain Sanity also faded away, leaving a void in the music retail industry.
Despite its slow decline, many Australians remember the brand fondly.
'Sanity in Hobart (Northgate) only closed this year! I agree, the brand died a slow whimper of a death,' one shared.
Copperart, a home decor store that was once a favourite among Australians, also vanished from the retail scene.
The brand underwent a major rebrand in 1999, changing its name to HomeArt. Despite having 165 stores across Australia at its peak, the brand started struggling in 2014 and eventually went into administration in 2015.
'I used to love Copperart! I was only a kid but they always had that kinda stuff which was so hideous it was awesome,' one replied
'I was one of those kids who collected porcelain dolls. Copperart always had the fancy ones,' another added.
Next on the nostalgic list were Sunnyboy iceblocks with many Aussies complaining that they have unfulfilled cravings for the treat.
The treats were discontinued in 2016 due to the steady decline in demand.
Decore, a shampoo brand famous for its catchy jingle—’De-cor-eh, eh, eh,’ one reply recalled—and risque shower commercials has also suddenly disappeared.
Moreover, Starburst lollies were reportedly 'completely discontinued' in Australia as of June 2022.
Mars-Wrigley—the brand’s parent company—explained that the move was a 'long term decision' and not a 'short-term viral marketing strategy'.
The disappearance of these lollies has left many Australians nostalgic for the past.
'I am still mad the jelly beans disappeared. They were so good,' one said.
Other brands that many Australians seem to miss are Fantales, Red Earth (an all-natural body wash and make-up shop), Pizza Haven, and Tandy.
'I had the best Red Earth tinted lip balm. Never been able to find another like it. Mine fell out of my jacket pocket when I was walking home from the bus stop and I never found it. I still mourn it,' one shared.
'At their peak, some servoes were even selling freshly baked Pizza Haven pizzas. They've all since converted to barista-made coffee, which is useless when I'm turpsed and hungry,' another added.
'[Tandy] used to be one of my favourite shops as a kid to just browse and look at tech [stuff]. Couldn't even tell you when they just disappeared,' a third shared.
Tandy was purchased by Woolworths Group in 2010 but had been phased out within just a year.
'They were ultimately owned by Woolworths alongside Dick Smith. The stores were all folded in under the Dick Smith brand in 2009, a few years before the sale of Dick Smith to Anchorage, and the collapse in 2016,' one explained.
The list went on as Ski yoghurt, Sams Warehouse, and Ice Clothing were added.
'I never noticed this, I don't eat [Ski] yoghurt, but I remember all the ads—they were huge,' one commented.
But the nostalgia, at times, was tinged with unpleasant undertones.
A former employee of Sams Warehouse shared: 'I worked in that company for about 7 years until a year before its total collapse, it was an absolute s**tshow for most of that time.
'I think we went through receivership and buyouts/restructures 3 times while I was there, frankly can't believe it lasted as long as it did in the end,' they added.
Another user appeared to be keeping note of all retailers that 'has-been'.
'Seduce clothing store, Lisa Ho, Go-Lo, Bi-Lo, Ice clothing, Bardot, Diva jewellery, Equip, Kleins, Gasp, Pumpkin Patch, Bardot, Gloss,' they enumerated.
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