[Maddison Dwyer]

Woolworths store in Canberra​

Today’s blast from the past is a snap of a Woolies in Canberra in 1966. Look at the people, the storefront, the cars… It really is so different from today. On that note, how much do you think the Aussie shopping experience changed since this photo was taken? With technology making more of a presence in shopping today, would you say things are better now, or was the setup in the past—one with no frills and thingamajigs—much easier? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below!

Image Source: Facebook/National Archives of Australia.

 

[Gsr]

Wow, sure looks busy, must have been a Saturday morning when the majority of people shopped before the shops closed at midday, and didn’t re open til Monday morning. Love the old cars, those were the days when most cars had style about them. The thing I miss most when shopping is the lack of staff in stores. Once it was easy to find someone to help you, now it is almost impossible, I can walk the whole store and not find anyone to help me reach higher items I need in shops. Might have to start taking a fold up stool soon, or climbing on the bottom shelf to reach items. Same in clothes shops, the top rail of hanging items is far too high for anyone under 6 foot to reach comfortably. No wonder there are so many clothes not put back up and just thrown on top of lower clothes. Shopping is very much a do it all yourself experience now.

 

[magpie1]

looks to be a very busy intersection with cars and lots of people....were there no traffic lights around then for road and pedestrian safety. ?

 

[Milica]

what a great picture - buzzing with people, but a calmness as well, with enjoyment of going about doing there shopping-i would go back anyday for this type of shopping - there was a really good energy in the air, people where friendly towards each other, mainly & a much easier relaxed way of shopping, not rushed! I was only 12 but still do remember these days!

 

[Alan W]

I've just returned from a holiday in New Zealand and there is not a Woolworths in sight, they are all "Count Down" stores. Same logo, same corporate colour, different name. (Coles is called "New World" in NZ)

 

[Fearless]

I remember on Friday nights, motorcycles were parked out front. Bike nights. Where my love of bikes started.