Blast from the past: This is what a Kmart catalogue from 1985 looked like
- Replies 6
Long before we had the Kmart website, shoppers used to rely on printed catalogues for information on the latest in-store buys and discounts.
On a popular Facebook group, members were unexpectedly taken on a trip down memory lane as one shopper shared photos of a Kmart catalogue from 1985.
Despite the sale tags littered throughout the catalogue, it’s interesting to note that many of the items were significantly more expensive than they are today.
Photo from Facebook via Daily Mail.
The huge Christmas Sale text was pictured on the catalogue’s front page, noting that the promo ran from December 4 until December 7. There is a slew of discounted items on the yellow-stained pages, such as the $24.98 women’s mesh handbags, $38 Cabbage Patch dolls, $29.98 Veritas watches, and a hair care gift set for $39.98.
Photo from Facebook via Daily Mail.
The following few pages featured electronics and appliances.
Japanese electronics company Sanyo dominated the page with its stereo speakers and portable cassette radios, both considered ‘hot’ Christmas gifts during the 80s.
The Sanyo cassette player, which came along with features such as headphones and belt clip, was shown to have a sale price of $39.97. Meanwhile, their top-of-the-line stereo radio cassette with detachable two-way speakers was sold for $239.
Photo from Facebook via Daily Mail.
After the page for entertainment electronics came the kitchen appliances and cookware, which looks rather bulky compared to their more modern counterparts.
The selling price of microwaves started at $374, which seems rather steep compared to those sold today, particularly after taking inflation into account. The cheapest Microwave pictured would have cost over $1100 in today’s money, according to the RBA’s inflation calculator:
Credit: Reserve Bank of Australia
Other kitchen appliances featured were the Kenwood Chef beater sold for $199, the Kenwood Food Processor for $149, the Kitchenmaster Frypans for $50, and the Sunbeam Express Kettle for $35.98.
Photo from Facebook via Daily Mail.
Various other items were featured in the catalogue, such as the Tasco terrestrial telescope, which allowed people to see objects in the sky ‘50 times closer’. Kmart sold them for $59.98.
Other viewing devices included Focal binoculars for $45 and a Focal Astronomical-type telescope for $150.
For those who worked in the office, an Olivetti Praxis 20 electric typewriter was also featured for a discounted price of $299 - around $1000 in today’s money, roughly the price of a mid-range laptop today. Other office devices, such as Focal’s ruler-calculator sold for $9.98 each and digital calculators from Canon, Casio, and Sharp, sold for $7.98 each.
Mixed in with the office supplies were various hygiene and toiletry gift sets.
Photo from Facebook via Daily Mail.
There was also a page for parents to shop for children’s toys.
The biggest featured product was the Lego Play Farm that was described as ‘the perfect Christmas present’. Parents could give their children the whole set, complete with a tractor and animals, for only $49.98.
For the little princesses, parents could also get their hands on the Barbie ‘fitness’ dolls for $22.96 and different cuddly plush animals for $7.97 each.
Photo from Facebook via Daily Mail.
And for the adults, the twenty-second page of the catalogue featured different leisurewear in bright colours and soft pastels, which were perfect for the summer season.
The outfits featured elastic-waisted pants, brushed polyester cotton pants, and washer cotton shorts. The models were also seen wearing stud front jackets, fleecy singlets and sweatshirts, paired with assorted summer tops. Gotta love that 80’s fashion!
After a few hours, the Facebook post was flooded with Kmart shoppers who felt ‘nostalgic’ after seeing the catalogue photos.
“My goodness. Crazy how the prices were somewhat similar to today's prices, but most of these things were such good quality you could still use them today,” said one member.
A second person shared their personal experience, saying: “Great memories. It took me forever to save up for my stereo while working at Holly's at Kmart when I was 15.”
“This was when Kmart had a restaurant, you could buy live fish in the aquarium section for your fish tank, and there was a great plant section,” wrote a third person.
“My, how things have changed.”
Have you got any old catalogues lying around you can share with us?
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