Time Capsule Alert: Take a Trip Down Memory Lane with Kmart's 1987 Catalogue
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Ahh, the 80's – a simpler time!
Remembering days gone by isn't just a feel-good moment for nostalgic seniors. It's also a fantastic educational opportunity for our younger generations to learn about the trends of the past.
That's why here at SDC, we were delighted when a Kmart Christmas catalogue from 1987 recently resurfaced online. It's the perfect blast from the past, with a wonderful collection of products and services on offer!
A Reddit user posted images of the catalogue on social media recently, giving us all a chance to take a look at a typical 80s Christmas catalogue.
One of the more eye-catching offers was a set of embroidered towels for only $12.96. A quality cutlery set was also on sale for just $13.98, while a set of four glasses from Toscany cost only $9.98.
For those after something a bit more practical, the front page also featured running shoes for only $10 and a two-pack of underwear for just $2.98.
Grooming gift sets were also present, with a cosmetic purse going for just $2.98, Flower Fair Perfume for $5.94, and various English Rose grooming products up for grabs.
Elsewhere on the page, you can find deals on porcelain dolls, which cost $29.98, and stylish cookware — such as a $16.98 cake platter set and a collection of silver plates that were each sold separately — that you can use to decorate your home.
There were also gift ideas for women, with Kmart offering a range of luxurious lingerie which cost $10 each.
If framed prints and tactile items were more to your taste, you could also purchase them at a very reasonable price – only $3.98.
More lavish products included a manual portable typewriter costing $99, VHS video tapes for $7.98, and coloured stone earrings for $2.98.
But did you know that photography enthusiasts were not forgotten by Kmart either? That's right – Polaroid and high-grade cameras were also made available at different price points.
Finally, how could we forget the outdoor relaxation items? For those wanting that touch of luxury, Kmart also offered a range of options, such as the 11-piece Florentino outdoor setting for $228, a ready-to-assemble porch swing for $98, a metal folding table for $84, a park bench for $64.98, and an outdoor lounge for only $154.
The post sparked a lively online discussion about the items featured, with many pointing out how seeing some of the products made them feel nostalgic.
One person wrote: 'That outdoor set - the white table and chairs. I feel like everyone over the age of 50 had them, and they were super uncomfortable.'
'The cast iron patio set. Totally useless, every set ended up with a rust stain dead-centre on the table, from a potted Peace Lily,' another added.
Others pointed out the pricing of the products, with one person writing: 'Honestly the pricing isn’t much less than today.'
Another responded to the comment, explaining why it's the case for some of these items.
They claimed: 'A lot of consumer goods haven't gone up or have gone down in price in recent decades. It is the cost of essentials like food, housing, and energy has gone crazy.'
'Basically anything you can't do without.'
A third pointed out: 'Entertainment and electronics were as pricey as you'd expect.'
'AAA games for the C64 were up to $60 ($154.35 in 2021 according to the RBA calculator). The C64, a 1541 disk drive and a 34cm Sanyo to run it on cost the equivalent of just under $3k, so you weren't getting all that for Christmas.'
'I didn't get into CDs until a couple of years later, but they were around $30 ($67) at full price, anything at $20 or below was a bargain. A new release VHS rental could be up to $15 in today's money.'
We hope you enjoyed your virtual trip down memory lane, members!
What are your thoughts on this? Better yet, did you own some of these items? Share your stories with us in the comments below!
Remembering days gone by isn't just a feel-good moment for nostalgic seniors. It's also a fantastic educational opportunity for our younger generations to learn about the trends of the past.
That's why here at SDC, we were delighted when a Kmart Christmas catalogue from 1987 recently resurfaced online. It's the perfect blast from the past, with a wonderful collection of products and services on offer!
A Reddit user posted images of the catalogue on social media recently, giving us all a chance to take a look at a typical 80s Christmas catalogue.
One of the more eye-catching offers was a set of embroidered towels for only $12.96. A quality cutlery set was also on sale for just $13.98, while a set of four glasses from Toscany cost only $9.98.
For those after something a bit more practical, the front page also featured running shoes for only $10 and a two-pack of underwear for just $2.98.
The front page of the catalogue featured some practical gift ideas such as embroidered towels and a quality cutlery set. Credit: Reddit.
Grooming gift sets were also present, with a cosmetic purse going for just $2.98, Flower Fair Perfume for $5.94, and various English Rose grooming products up for grabs.
Elsewhere on the page, you can find deals on porcelain dolls, which cost $29.98, and stylish cookware — such as a $16.98 cake platter set and a collection of silver plates that were each sold separately — that you can use to decorate your home.
Did you own porcelain dolls? Credit: Reddit.
There were also gift ideas for women, with Kmart offering a range of luxurious lingerie which cost $10 each.
If framed prints and tactile items were more to your taste, you could also purchase them at a very reasonable price – only $3.98.
A collection of luxurious lingerie was available. Credit: Reddit.
More lavish products included a manual portable typewriter costing $99, VHS video tapes for $7.98, and coloured stone earrings for $2.98.
But did you know that photography enthusiasts were not forgotten by Kmart either? That's right – Polaroid and high-grade cameras were also made available at different price points.
Photography equipment was also included in the catalogue. Credit: Reddit.
Finally, how could we forget the outdoor relaxation items? For those wanting that touch of luxury, Kmart also offered a range of options, such as the 11-piece Florentino outdoor setting for $228, a ready-to-assemble porch swing for $98, a metal folding table for $84, a park bench for $64.98, and an outdoor lounge for only $154.
The outdoor items were ideal for summer. Credit: Reddit.
The post sparked a lively online discussion about the items featured, with many pointing out how seeing some of the products made them feel nostalgic.
One person wrote: 'That outdoor set - the white table and chairs. I feel like everyone over the age of 50 had them, and they were super uncomfortable.'
'The cast iron patio set. Totally useless, every set ended up with a rust stain dead-centre on the table, from a potted Peace Lily,' another added.
Some users pointed out that many people owned the outdoor set. Credit: Reddit.
Others pointed out the pricing of the products, with one person writing: 'Honestly the pricing isn’t much less than today.'
Another responded to the comment, explaining why it's the case for some of these items.
They claimed: 'A lot of consumer goods haven't gone up or have gone down in price in recent decades. It is the cost of essentials like food, housing, and energy has gone crazy.'
'Basically anything you can't do without.'
A third pointed out: 'Entertainment and electronics were as pricey as you'd expect.'
'AAA games for the C64 were up to $60 ($154.35 in 2021 according to the RBA calculator). The C64, a 1541 disk drive and a 34cm Sanyo to run it on cost the equivalent of just under $3k, so you weren't getting all that for Christmas.'
'I didn't get into CDs until a couple of years later, but they were around $30 ($67) at full price, anything at $20 or below was a bargain. A new release VHS rental could be up to $15 in today's money.'
This certainly looks different to a modern electronics selection, eh? Credit: Reddit.
We hope you enjoyed your virtual trip down memory lane, members!
What are your thoughts on this? Better yet, did you own some of these items? Share your stories with us in the comments below!
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